Bipartisan talks failed to address Kenyans' concerns, says Jubilee

Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

Jubilee Party has dismissed the National Dialogue Committee report, saying it failed to adequately address the concerns of Kenyans.

Speaking during a meeting with the Nairobi Business Community at Jubilee headquarters in Nairobi on Tuesday, Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni criticised the focus on leadership positions.

"The discussions fell short of our expectations. Kenyans were killed, not because of government positions, but due to the soaring cost of living," said Kioni.

Similar sentiments have been expressed by other Azimio leaders, including Narc Kenya's Martha Karua and Eugene Wamalwa of DAP Kenya.

Raila Odinga will today lead a Parliamentary Group meeting to deliberate on the committee's report with a view of taking a common position.

Kioni termed the committee as "clueless" and lacking the capability to address the nation's challenges effectively.

The former MP cited a rise in job losses, an exodus of investors from the Nairobi Securities Exchange, closure of companies and surging fuel prices.

"When we started the national dialogue, the cost of living was not as bad as it was compared to when we were leaving that place. Things were deteriorating every day. By the time we were leaving that place 70,000 Kenyans had been sacked from their jobs, and 6,000 investors had left the stock exchange," said Kioni.

He stressed the need for President William Ruto and his government to take responsibility of the challenges facing the country instead of shifting blame to the former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

On Monday, the talks co-chair and the National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wa accused Uhuru of sabotaging the national dialogue, alleging his interference in the government's efforts to transform the nation.

Kioni also called out the government's handling of corruption. "There is no way you can deal with the cost of living amidst budgeted corruption and ongoing scandals," he said.