Bipartisan process can’t address issue on IEBC servers – Kenya Kwanza senators tell Raila
Senate majority leaders have responded to Azimio la Umoja Coalition leader Raila Odinga over his new demands following a truce with the government.
Speaking on Wednesday in a press briefing, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, who is also the Senate majority leader said while the bipartisan agreement is a good move, Raila should not expect Parliament to make any decision about the electoral body’s servers – one of the Opposition demands.
“Parliament is not a custodian of servers, there is nothing else that a bipartisan parliamentary process can do about servers,” Cheruiyot said.
The Senator also dismissed the demand by Azimio over the formation of a team akin to the 2008 National Accord to work on its demands.
He said talks of the formation of the body are illegal.
The Senator said other ways could be utilised to resolve the demands of the Opposition.
“We watched the presser by Azimio yesterday and were disappointed by a man walking back on his words. We strongly believe that this conversation is limited to only IEBC matters,” he said.
“We are fully aware that we were both invited to make nominations to the selection panel, the minority said they were not interested. But if they’ve changed their mind, we can turn the other way and reason together with them. There are fundamentals that a bipartisan process must adhere to, must be legal.”
On Tuesday, Raila also said the newly found government deal of a bipartisan approach may not meet the party’s demands.
He said the parliamentary process may not address all their concerns, especially matters of the high cost of living.
“We (Azimio) assure our people and Kenyans that our eyes are firmly on the ball, and reiterate that we shall go back to the people as the earliest sign of lack of seriousness by the other side,” he said.
He noted that the Opposition shall resume demonstrations if demands are not met.