In Kenya, government and opposition revive bipartisan talks on constitutional amendment to create offices of prime minister and official opposition

The Kenyan government and the opposition have struck a compromise to revive stalled bipartisan talks and avert protests planned for [4 May], even as the factions separately closed ranks on contentious proposals. The Raila Odinga-led Azimio la Umoja One Kenya on [3 May] called off [protests planned for 4 May] after the ruling Kenya Kwanza-led government withdrew Eldas MP Adan Keynan from its bipartisan talks team. In the country’s national assembly earlier, Azimio and Kenya Kwanza had closed ranks on proposals to change the constitution to create the offices of the leader of official opposition and Prime Minister. [On the evening of 3 May], Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka made the initial offer that they were ready to stand down the demonstrations provided their political rivals ceded to their demands. [...] In a swift rejoinder, Kenya Kwanza leadership in parliament responded by removing MP Keynan from the committee. In his place, Saku MP Dido Raso was picked. [...] While [Kenya’s National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani] Ichung’wah and Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi supported calls to establish the opposition leader and prime minister offices, they differed on the route to amend the constitution to create them.
Read the full article here: The East African