The Azimio team addressed the media after closed-door deliberations on Tuesday evening, citing auditing of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) server as one of the topics that have produced “irreconcilable divisions” in the dialogue.
The opposition faction, led by nonpartisan Chair Otiende Amolo, stated that they will now consult with their leaders for additional guidance.
“We understand two [of the issues raised by Kenya Kwanza], but the other issues are foreign to us, and we expected them to today explain to us, but they were not here,” said Amollo, who is also the Rarieda Member of Parliament.
“We conclude that our colleagues are not negotiating in good faith. According to our agreement, we’ve invoked Article 37 and we suspend these talks for seven days.”
In a subsequent press statement, Kenya Kwanza through nominated senator, Esther Okenyuri disclosed that the two parties differed on priorities.
Azimio, according to the senator, made illogical demands contrary to Kenya Kwanza’s perspective.
“The Kenya Kwanza side considered the issue of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel to be the most urgent.
“On the other hand, the Azimio side preferred to prioritise the preservation of the IEBC servers,” said Okenyuri.
According to Kenya Kwanza, the election server issue could not have superseded the reconstitution of the IEBC selection panel.
Sifuna, a member of Azimio’s bipartisan team, stated that Kenya Kwanza was not sincere in reconstituting the IEBC selection panel, in contrast to Okenyuri’s declaration.
“We have had to suspend the bipartisan dialogue after we could not persuade our friends from Kenya Kwanza to concede to some common-sense interim measures.”
“This included; lowering of the cost of unga, preservation of the election servers, suspension of IEBC reconstitution and for them to leave Jubilee alone,” the first-term legislator noted on Tuesday, May 23
Sifuna noted that the suspension was temporary and should Kenya Kwanza agree on raised issues, the talks would resume in seven days.
