Adan Keynan's involvement in Kenya Kwanza bipartisan team not a mistake, UDA says

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General, Cleophas Malala has said that the Party's decision to involve Eldas MP Adan Keynan in the Kenya Kwanza bipartisan parliamentary team was intentional.

Keynan who is a member of the Jubilee Party was on Tuesday, April 11, announced as part of the seven-member team for Kenya Kwanza in the negotiations of the bipartisan talks.

Minority Leader in the National Assembly Opiyo Wandayi raised an issue with Keynan's appointment in Parliament yesterday, saying that: "We are totally surprised and stunned by the fact that they have appointed Adan Keynan who is a member of the Azimio la Umoja Coalition. Legally, any Jubilee MP belongs to the Azimio coalition."

Malala however insisted that appointing the Eldas MP was aimed at ensuring all political parties are involved in the bipartisan talks.

"The bipartisan talks are not just for ODM and UDA. We selected him because we want every party to be represented on the committee. The Constitution allows anyone to join any party they wish to and therefore, he has every right to be in that committee," said Malala.

The UDA SG reiterated that the Kenya Kwanza bipartisan team is well and able and they will only address the issues that are supported by the Constitution.

"Our team from Kenya Kwanza has been instructed to only address issues that are in the Constitution and that is the selection panel for IEBC. The claims by the Opposition that our seven-member team is incapable are not true. Every coach has a way of selecting their team and we know they will do a good job," he said.

On Tuesday, April 11, Kenya Kwanza revealed seven lawmakers to advance the alliance's agenda in the talks with their counterparts in the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition.

They are Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei, Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri, Tharaka MP George Murugara, Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, Eldas MP Adan Keynan, and Taita Taveta Woman Representative Lydia Haika.