Governor Nyong'o cautions over delays of bipartisan talks

Kisumu,

Thursday, September 21 2023

KNA Kisumu by Feliciah Wanyonyi and Zipporah Akoth

Kisumu County leadership has added their voice to the ongoing bipartisan talks between the Azimio la Umoja One-Kenya Coalition and Kenya Kwanza.

Led by Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, they backed the national dialogue talks alluding that its success could avert more street protests, especially in the county that bore the brunt of the demonstrations. 

“As one of the governors whose county bore the brunt of the protests, including deaths, we support the dialogue and would like it to continue to a successful conclusion,” Prof. Nyong’o affirmed during a press briefing on Thursday.

 He cautioned politicians who are hell-bent on frustrating the talks that they stand to be judged harshly in the event that the bipartisan dialogue collapses.

“We are aware that some leaders across the country would like the dialogue to collapse so that the country relapses back into political and economic chaos and turmoil. We should avoid such paths that will lead to more misery for the masses,” Prof. Nyong’o warned.

The remarks come days after the negotiations hit a snag, particularly, on the re-constitution of the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission among other issues as the deliberations enter a critical stage.

The Lakeside leaders have sent an appeal to the negotiators and politicians to give the talks a chance to help resolve issues that resulted in the demonstrations.

 “We remind leaders from both sides that time is running out and they should hasten the pace to conclude these talks for the benefit of the country. Let us tone down on hardliner attitudes and embrace dialogue,” Prof. Nyong’o stated.

However, he expressed confidence that the bipartisan talks would be instrumental in fostering development and allow citizens to focus on nation-building.

“We must stay together for when we divert our focus, we will never succeed and come out of the quagmire we are in as a country. We should never allow selfishness, egotistic and chauvinistic ways to replace the cause we have believed in for so long.”

The protests against the high cost of living called by the Opposition leader Raila Odinga in July led to several deaths, injuries and massive destruction of property in Kisumu County and other regions.

Courtesy; KNA