We will not negotiate under blackmail, Ichung’wah responds to Azimio’s protests threat
Kikuyu Member of Parliament (Mp) Kimani Ichungwah has said the Kenya Kwanza negotiation team will not be swayed by ultimatums through blackmails by their Azimio counterparts.
“We will not negotiate with you with ultimatums, threats, or blackmail. We will not allow intimidation to dictate our discussions. If you try to force us into talks by threatening street protests, we will not comply,” Ichung’wa said on Monday.
He was responding to Azimio la Umoja party leader Raila Amolo Odinga’s 30-day ultimatum for talks with the government, failure to which, he said, will result in the return of protests.
Ichung’wa further emphasized that Kenya Kwanza’s precondition for talks revolves around avoiding power-sharing and anti-government protest conversations.
“We won’t sit at a table where threats are used to coerce us,” he asserted.
The National Assembly majority leader invited the opposition to present their concerns about governance without resorting to intimidation, promising respectful consideration.
Meanwhile, President William Ruto expressed his satisfaction with the opposition’s stance against a ‘handshake’ with the government.
Addressing the public in Kariara village, Nyeri county, on Monday, shortly after inaugurating the Ichamara-Rutune road, the President also called on Azimio to halt protests and violence.
VIDEO BY MARGARET KARANJA