Be sober while dialoguing, Lawyer urges parties in bipartisan talks

 

Former President of the East African Law Society James Aggrey Mwamu at his office in Kisumu when he address the press-Photo By Dickson Odhiambo

By Dickson Odhiambo

August 8, 2023

Be sober while dialoguing, Lawyer urges parties in bipartisan talks

Both Kenya Kwanza and Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance have been urged to purely be sober when Bipartisan talks begin again tomorrow Wednesday August 9, 2023.

Former East African Law Society President James Aggrey Mwamu says it is prudent for both the two parties to maintain sobriety as they engage each other in the dialogue to find amicable solutions to the issues that are at hand for the discussions.

Addressing the press at his office in Kisumu, Mwamu said there should be some sobriety so that an agreement can be reached.

He says the hardliners from both sides of the political divide who will be engaging one another during the bipartisan talks should approach the issues in a sober manner and not to derail the process due to their stubbornness.

He says some of the issues that are to be discussed may include the creation of the office of the Official Leader of the Opposition, Two thirds Gender Rule, how to reduce the high cost of living, anchoring the CDF in the constitution among others.

Mwamu says in an issue like the creation of the office of the Leader of Opposition, this will need a National Referendum because it involves changing the structure of the Legislature which is one of the arms of the Government.

He says the problem would be that the motion will come from Parliament then taken to the Counties to be passed by about 24 counties.

Mwamu says after the passage of the motion by the 24 counties across the country then taken back to Parliament for approval the taken to the Senate.

He says the two Speakers both from the National Assembly and the Senate will send the decision of the County Assemblies, Parliament and the Senate to IEBC which will come up with a question to be asked during the National Referendum.

Mwamu further says after that, a National referendum will be held where Kenyans will vote for or against the proposal, adding that if Majority voted for it then such a constitutional amendment will be promulgated.

He says another issue that should be discussed is the implementation of the two thirds gender rule, adding during the Former Chief Justice David Maraga’s tenure, Parliament was to be dissolved since it did not comply with the constitutional provision of two thirds Gender rule.

“There should be an agreement on this issue of implementing the two thirds Gender rule because it has been an issue that has been there needs to be tackled,” Mwamu says.

Mwamu adds that the other issue that should be given great attention during such talks is the high cost of living that Kenyans are currently witnessing.

“The high cost of living must be discussed because this is one of the reasons why Kenyans went on the streets for peaceful protests and a number of them lost their lives for fighting the issue of high cost of living,” Mwamu adds.

Mwamu says there must be some discussions around on how to reduce prices of the essential commodities that Kenyans uses in their everyday lives like Maize four, Sugar and Fuel among others.

The Former East African Law Society President’s sentiment comes barely a day before the Bipartisan talks begin tomorrow on Wednesday August 9, 2023 at Bomas of Kenya from 11:00am.

Both the two teams have five representatives where Kenya Kwanza Team is led by the Leader of Majority in Parliament Kimani Ichungwa while the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance Coalition is led by Wiper Leader and former Vice President Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka.