Cotu calls for talks between Jubilee government and Nasa

Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, who has asked the opposition to dialogue with the Jubilee administration. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli on Wednesday asked the opposition Nasa to shelve the planned swearing-in of its party leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka and engage in dialogue with the Jubilee administration.

Mr Atwoli, in a letter to Mr Odinga, said the political stalemate in the country, could have far-fetched consequences on the economy and other sectors if not addressed in time.

DIALOGUE

Mr Atwoli said that both Jubilee and Nasa should accept to hold and engage in meaningful, open, sincere and trusted dialogue in the interest of the nation.

“We trust that this engagement will come before your coalition’s scheduled swearing in event and as we keenly note your response, we now await the president's response and we have no doubt that it will equally be forthcoming to allow us proceed with the first steps to this dialogue,” said Mr Atwoli.

Top Nasa leaders have been holding key meetings in preparations for the planned swearing in ceremony scheduled for January 30.

Mr Atwoli's letter was a response to Mr Odinga, who acknowledged that his coalition was in support of a “structured dialogue” with the Jubilee party, but only on issues of electoral justice.

The calls for dialogue have been spearheaded by diplomats, religious organisations and the business community.

In the letter addressed to the Cotu boss, Mr Odinga reiterated that while Nasa was ready to engage the President Kenyatta-led party for talks, such a dialogue must be one that is structured, meaningful and aimed at addressing, among other things, the strengthening of the Judiciary and devolution, reforms in the police and the restructuring of the executive. 

President Kenyatta, has in the past expressed his willingness to engage the opposition in talks, but cautioned that such a dialogue should only be about the country’s development.

“If our competitors, the opposition, have any good ideas that can assist in making the lives of Kenyans better, they are welcome. We can talk,” said the President.

The National Assembly Leader of majority Aden Duale, has also in the past, dismissed the calls for dialogue saying “the country had moved on”, and asked the opposition to instead join the government in serving Kenyans.

“Kenyans long picked their leaders. What else does somebody want us to dialogue over?” said Mr Duale.

Mr Odinga insisted that the coalition was not interested in “a power sharing deal of any kind” with the government and defended their terms for talks as attainable by both parties.

“As we have stated publicly, Nasa remains committed to holding meaningful dialogue with the highest level of Jubilee leadership,” said Mr Odinga in the letter dated January 12.

“We have said it before and say it again; we are not interested in getting positions in government. Our interest is in putting the country on the path of long term and sustainable stability and growth through structures and policies.”