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  • Akili Labs and BGI Genomics to deliver their first commercial clinical sequencing facility in Africa

    Akili Labs and BGI Genomics to deliver their first commercial clinical sequencing facility in Africa

    JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA and SHENZEN, CHINA – April 20, 2023. Akili Labs (Pty) Ltd, a  pioneer of cost-effective molecular diagnostics and secure genomic data storage solutions, and  BGI Genomics Co. Ltd, one of the world’s leading genomics companies, today announced the  signing of a technology transfer agreement that will provide the Southern region of Africa with  clinical-grade sequencing solutions.

    “Improving the cost and turnaround time of genetic sequencing services will play a major role in  expanding precision medicine-driven healthcare in Africa,” said Charles Faul, co-founder and  Chief Executive Officer of Akili. “Locally provided services have struggled with capacity restraints  and are challenged with local pricing of reagents and equipment. Often, the only solution is to  send samples to Europe or the USA, where sequencing is cheaper. However, this comes at a  price: the application for export permits can be a lengthy process, and then there is the risk of  sample loss or damage during shipping.

    “Access to sequencing is only one part of the equation”, said Stuart Ali, PhD, Chief Scientific  Officer of Akili. “Sending samples overseas means that they are not processed in locally  accredited laboratories. And with the enforcement of the regional data protection laws and need  to preserve the geographic sovereignty and security of genetic data, local in country solutions  are now an imperative. Indeed, this partnership supplies the first truly Africa-based service to  meet our client needs”.

    “We are thrilled to see the progress being made in genomics sequencing development in Africa.”,  said Ronnie Mao, Business Manager of Southern Africa, BGI Genomics. “With the continent being  home to the world’s most diverse genomics data, it is crucial that local talent has the tools and  resources to further our understanding of clinical genetics. We welcome the initiative to develop  localized genomics sequencing capabilities in Africa, with a focus on clinical genetics and  improving health outcomes. This will not only benefit the people of Africa, but also enable and  empower local talent to lead this effort and bring their unique perspectives to the field. We look  forward to seeing the positive impact that this development will have on the health of individuals  and communities in Africa.”

    END.

    About Akili Labs
    A Founders Factor Africa portfolio company, Akili Labs specialises in cost-effective and accessible diagnostic services by carefully selecting technology and optimizing processes. Aiming for vertical integration to drive precision medicine, its services are supported by a proprietary cloud platform that manages clinical and genetic data through robust encryption and data compression algorithms. Akili Labs has regional offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa; Lusaka, Zambia; and Maryland, USA. These locations collectively establish the start of a global network for precision medicine and consumer  genetics services.

    About BGI Genomics
    BGI Genomics, headquartered in Shenzhen China, is the world’s leading integrated solutions  provider of precision medicine. Our services cover over 100 countries and regions, involving  more than 2,300 medical institutions. In July 2017, as a subsidiary of BGI Group, BGI Genomics  (300676.SZ) was officially listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

  • COMESA Secretariat visits Tatu City mixed-use SEZ for benchmarking

    COMESA Secretariat visits Tatu City mixed-use SEZ for benchmarking

    Representatives from Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Seychelles, Malawi, Mauritius, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Kenya seek clarity on SEZ operations.

    Tatu City Special Economic Zone, the 5,000-acre new city on Nairobi’s doorstep, hosted the Secretariat of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) for knowledge exchange at Tatu City, the first operational mixed-use Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the region.

    Led by Lucas Mwago, the Chief Trade Development Officer at Kenya’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, the COMESA Secretariat delegation of trade and SEZ experts discussed design, taxation regulatory framework, infrastructure requirements, planning and development.

    Tatu City Executive Vice President Solomon Mahinda said, “There are very important lessons we have learnt over time in Kenya, which we are glad to share with other COMESA member states with similar visions. The areas of market access and rules of origin are critical areas where we are keen to collaborate and facilitate knowledge-sharing opportunities with other African nations.”

    Providence Mavumbi, Director of Industry & Agriculture Division-Zambia in the COMESA Secretariat, expressed enthusiasm about the learning opportunity, stating, “We are impressed by the level of planning, design, and execution of Tatu City’s mixed-use vision. Integrating residential, commercial, and recreational spaces sustainably and in an aesthetically pleasing way is commendable. As COMESA, we want to create and support a collaborative trading environment between member states. SEZs are critical in these efforts, and we are in the process of adopting the right policies to help member countries set up similar developments to promote trade and regional market access.”

    “Our mission at Tatu City is to appreciate and learn from a team that has already established a functioning mixed-use SEZ,” said Lucas Mwago, Chief Trade Development Officer at the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry-Kenya. “This is a great opportunity for governments to learn from the private sector, measure ourselves against a successful developer such as Tatu City and see how we can expand SEZ developments in Kenya and other COMESA nations.”

    Last year, Tatu City hosted Ugandan members of parliament for a learning tour on establishing mixed-use Special Economic Zones. More recently, Kenya’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industrialisation and the Council of Governors visited the city as the government looks to develop industrial parks and SEZs in each of Kenya’s 47 counties.

    Dozens of companies operate in Tatu City’s business-friendly location, including Kenya Wine Agencies Limited, Dormans, Copia, Cooper K-Brands, Grit Real Estate Income Group, Twiga Foods, CCI Global, Freight Forwarders Solutions, Friendship Group and Davis & Shirtliff. More than 3,000 homes and apartments are occupied or under construction at Unity Homes and the Kijani Ridge premier neighbourhood.

  • CNN speaks to the two leaders at the heart of the violent power struggle in Sudan

    CNN speaks to the two leaders at the heart of the violent power struggle in Sudan

    Almost 100 people have died in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, as intense combat between the country’s military and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) rages for a third day.

    The fierce fighting has left hopes for a peaceful transition to civilian rule in tatters.

    At the heart of the clashes are two men: Sudan’s military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the commander of the paramilitary RSF, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti.

    Until recently, they were allies. However, tensions arose during negotiations to integrate the RSF into the country’s military as part of plans to restore civilian rule.

    The key question: who would be subordinate to who under the new hierarchy?

    These hostilities, sources told CNN, are the culmination of what both parties view as an existential fight for dominance.

    Clashes first erupted on Saturday. Eyewitnesses in Khartoum told CNN on Monday they heard mortars and artillery in the early hours of the morning, with the fighting intensifying after dawn prayers in the direction of Khartoum International Airport and Sudanese Army garrison sites.

    Each side blames one another for starting the fight.

    CNN spoke to both Hemedti and Burhan in separate interviews this week.

    Sudan’s paramilitary chief accuses the army of breaking the humanitarian ceasefire

    The leader of Sudan’s powerful paramilitary group RSF, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has accused the Sudanese army of breaking an UN-brokered temporary humanitarian ceasefire Sunday evening.

    “We’re under attack from all directions,” Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, told CNN’s Larry Madowo in a telephone interview. “We stopped fighting and the other side did not, which put us in a predicament and we had to keep fighting to defend ourselves,” he claimed.

    Hemedti speculated that army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has lost control of his military, saying “they don’t seem to be listening to him.”

    He also claimed to be in control of the presidential palace, Khartoum airport, and the General Command headquarters. CNN cannot independently verify the claim.

    When asked if his endgame in the clashes was to rule Sudan, Hemedti said he had “no such intentions.”

    “There should be a civilian government. This has always been my stance,” he said.

    The RSF leader apologized to the Sudanese people and blamed the military for kickstarting the conflict. “It was not us who did this. We were defending ourselves. We’re sorry and we tell the Sudanese people that this crisis will end, and Sudan will be even better than before. And this will be a lesson to learn in the future.”

    Watch on CNN: https://cnn.it/3KFd6zb

    Sudan military chief calls RSF offensive an ‘attempted coup’

     

    Speaking with CNN’s Nima Elbagir, the head of Sudan’s military, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has characterized an offensive staged in recent days by the paramilitary RSF as an “attempted coup.”

    “This is an attempted coup and rebellion against the state,” Burhan told CNN by phone. He said that RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo had “mutinied” against the state, and if captured, would be tried in court of law.

    The sound of gunshots rang out in the background, despite an agreed-upon ceasefire at 4pm local time. Burhan claimed that for a second day, the RSF’s leader had violated that agreed ceasefire.

    “Yesterday and today a humanitarian ceasefire proposal was put forward and agreed upon. Sadly, he did not abide by it. You can hear right now the attempts to storm the Army headquarters, and indiscriminate mortar attacks. He’s using the humanitarian pause to continue the fight.”

    When asked about that allegation, a spokesperson for the RSF told CNN that the RSF was trying to abide by the ceasefire, but “they keep firing which leaves no choice” but for the RSF to “defend itself by firing back.”

    When challenged on why the Sudanese people should trust him, given his former alliance with Dagalo, Burhan told CNN: “The Sudanese Army is the people’s army.”

    “It is not owned by specific people or specific organizations,” he said. “It is a national institution, which is tasked with defending Sudan.”

  • OP-ED: How ChatGPT complements ERP systems

    OP-ED: How ChatGPT complements ERP systems

    BY DOUG HUNTER

    OpenAI’s ChatGP-3 has been a game changer across many sectors since its launch last November. Now, the recent upgrade of the technology to GPT-4, which has been trained on trillions of parameters, will certainly improve this innovation’s workings, introducing functionalities that are bound to revolutionize tech as we currently know it.

    The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enterprises is fast creating possibilities to automate everyday tasks including facilitating complex communications, creating content, manipulating text in correspondences to improve communication languages, and generally to simplify content.

    In any business outfit, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are integral components for productively and effectively managing, controlling and running all the operations that the institution accomplishes on a daily basis.

    Gradually, AI, armed by Machine Learning (ML) – and by extension Chat GPT- is growing into a potentially critical part of ERP systems, with its incorporation promising to result in an array of benefits to the enterprises and organizations using them.

    When integrated with an ERP system’s database, ChatGPT-4 can provide users with natural language search functionalities. This allows employees using data on the database to find and access the information they need faster.

    Instead of working late or extra shifts, companies can deploy ChatGPT to build better chatbots that can interact digitally with users with a human touch and provide them with requested information or assistance within an ERP system. This can improve user engagement and reduce the workload on customer service teams.

    All businesses want to know how to forecast their future. With ChatGPT integrated with an ERP system’s data, business leaders can combine wider, global, and seemingly (but not) irrelevant data with predictive analytics to gain insights about their core business. This will go a long way in monitoring industry trends and predicting the future and taking proactive actions to keep operations aligned to the future.

    ChatGPT has the potential to provide the enterprise with real-time information, analytics and insights that could be essential in fast-tracking and improving organizational decision-making processes.

    Take, for instance, a case where an AI-driven system guides the organization’s management in better understanding prevalent trends that would advise how their products or projects perform against their competitors.

    In such cases, AI presents the organization with an opportunity to easily determine which sectors of their projects need to be improved to make it more competitive; a factor that makes it easy for the enterprise to make decisions on how to better serve customers or improve products.

    AI can assist and refine business-related activities such as procurement, accounting, project management, risk analysis and management, compliance, and supply chain operations through ERPs in any organization.

    In ERP systems, data entry for cash flow management, income statements, balance sheets, expense reporting, invoicing, production planning and control, inventory management and supply chain, human resource (HR) and payroll management, are all modules that could be automated, and their data/information outputs integrated with Chat GPT to augment effectiveness and productivity in the workplace. Let’s see.

    ChatGPT could certainly be effectively deployed in user training on what ERP is there to accomplish, and how to use the system.  In this case, Chat GPT is automated to generate training material in language, style and content that is effective for the purpose, provide guidance on how to use the ERP and even respond to user questions. Deploying the chatbot to address these queries makes it easier to train new users on how to run the ERP.

    ERPs basically act as the organization’s hub for end-to-end workflow and the management of all the data involved, allowing the different departments working within the organization to access all the information required to efficiently run it.

    In essence, these systems are without a doubt an indispensable component for modern-day business enterprise, or industry due to all the seamless functions they perform.

    With AI and tools like Chat GPT, enterprises have the leverage to turbo-charge use of the different modules in their ERP systems, using know and “unknown” insights to align them more effectively with the daily activities and functions required to run these organizations.

    But beware, before using such tools, it is even more critical that master data in ERP systems is clean and constantly cleaned or the Machine Learning will simply fuel “Artificial Interpretation” not Intelligence.

    Mr Hunter is the Manager, Customer and Ecosystem Enablement at Syspro Africa

  • LG Bags 24 Awards at the 2023 Edition of The Red Dot Awards for Product Design Excellence

    LG Bags 24 Awards at the 2023 Edition of The Red Dot Awards for Product Design Excellence

    ·         LG OLED TVs have been recognized with the Red Dot Design Award every year without exception since its first release in 2013

    ·         Showing LG’s commitment to putting customers first, each of the winning products was developed considering the needs and wants of real consumers.

    LG Electronics has received a total of 24 awards at the 2023 edition of the prestigious Red Dot Award. Among its double-digit tally is a Best of the Best accolade for LG OLED Flex, an innovative, bendable TV designed to take gaming and viewing immersion to the next level.

    Featuring the world’s first bendable 42-inch OLED screen, LG OLED Flex provides unprecedented screen customizability with twenty levels of curvature to choose from. The unique display delivers a personalized gaming and viewing experience and was designed based on extensive customer research.

    Besides, it comes with a wide range of game-specific features, including customizable rear lighting that helps extend the game environment into the user’s space, as well as an intuitive user interface that enhances convenience

    Commenting on the awards, LG Electronics head of Corporate design centre Hwang Sung-gul said, “These awards are meaningful to us because they validate our firm belief that customer value and F.U.N. experiences, which are first, unique and new, are created through products and services that reflect the voice of the customer. As LG we are deeply honored to have its innovations recognized by Red Dot, one of the world’s top design award programs”.

    Besides the LG OLED Flex , the refrigerator with MoodUP™ which boasts of color-changing LED door panels and built-in speakers was also honored at the awards. Enabling users to enliven the kitchen with color and sound, the innovative product belongs to LG’s growing lineup of upgradeable home appliances.

    Other winners of the Red Dot Innovative Award include the next-generation shoe care solutions, the LG Styler™ ShoeCase and ShoeCare and the LG PuriCare Objet Collection Aero Furniture “table-type” air purifier. Showing LG’s commitment to putting customers first, each of these products was developed considering the needs and wants of real consumers.

    The Red Dot Award is one of the most respected competitions for product design, communication design and design concepts in the world. This year, approximately 20,000 products from 51 countries were submitted for the jury’s consideration.

     LG OLED TVs have been recognized with the Red Dot Design Award every year without exception since its first release in 2013.

     

  • Over 1,000 students to get breakfast in school for one year through Prudential’s donation to Cup of Uji’s School Feeding Programme

    Over 1,000 students to get breakfast in school for one year through Prudential’s donation to Cup of Uji’s School Feeding Programme

    ·      Prudential has donated Kshs. 2.7 million to support Cup of Uji’s School Feeding initiatives

    ·      The donation will support the preparation of over 270,000 cups of porridge for disadvantaged school children.

    ·      The contribution is part of Prudential’s goal of addressing education and health challenges to make communities resilient to life’s risks.

    ·      Cup of Uji targets to reach 100,000 students, across the country by the end of 2024

    Prudential, through its community investment arm, Prudence Foundation, has today handed over a Kshs. 2.7 million cheque to Cup of Uji, an organization that supports school feeding programs in Kenya.

    The donation, presented at the Riruta HGM Primary School in the country’s capital, Nairobi, is part of Prudential’s objective of promoting the education of children in Kenya, and will facilitate a healthy breakfast daily for 1,000 students over a period of 12 months.

    With a cost of KSh10 for a cup of nutritious porridge, Prudential’s contribution will support the preparation of at least 270,000 cups, helping to retain and improve the academic success of children from needy families in school.

     “We are heavily invested in boosting the school-completion rate in Kenya, and we know that school feeding programs are critical in reducing the dropout rate. We have been following Cup of Uji’s work, and we are sure that our support will create lasting impact,” Prudential Kenya’s Chief Executive Officer, Gwen Kinisu, said at the handover ceremony.

    Cup of Uji Founder, Francis Amonde, added: “Prudential’s generous donation will provide a meal to over 1,000 school going children struggling with inadequacies back home. The support we have received today will enable us to serve them for many school-going days.” Cup of Uji targets to reach 100,000 students by the end of 2024.

    The organization currently serves 10,173 children from 11 primary schools across five counties.

    Studies by the World Food Programme indicate that children who go to school hungry struggle to concentrate and learn. The World Bank adds that enhanced nutrition and health can result in improved academic performance and a decrease in dropout rates.

    “There is consistent proof that school feeding improves enrollment and attendance, resulting in better academic performance and improves cognitive performance. Additionally, it helps curb malnutrition among school-going children and offers a regular source of nutrients essential for the mental and physical development of young children.” Said Ms. Kinisu.

    It is against this backdrop that Prudential continually looks for opportunities to support quality nutrition standards in communities like those reached by Cup of Uji.

    “Some of our students come from really needy families, where even one meal a day is a privilege, but programmes like Cup of Uji help provide the relief that is required to keep them in school. We are really pleased that Prudential has come out to provide even more support, which, I can confirm will help us see more of our students graduate,” said Rose Omollo, a teacher at Riruta HGM Primary School.

    The donation to Cup of Uji adds on Prudential’s investment in education, which also includes full scholarships for 185 high school students, offered in partnership with the Kenya Education Fund (KEF).

  • “Kenya Belongs to the People Reclaiming Our Sovereign Power” Civil society groups says

    “Kenya Belongs to the People Reclaiming Our Sovereign Power” Civil society groups says

    As a country is yet in a political standoff facing yet another round of political contestation which threatens democratic and constitutional rights and order.

    Civil society groups have come out to air the voices of the voiceless saying that the situation has been largely driven by the political class.

    The group is claiming that the public is granted the power in the decision-making process to impact the lives of Mwanainchi.

    “The people of Kenya who have been granted the sovereign power under Article 1 of the constitution are being excluded and are hardly involved in key decision-making processes that impact their lives.” part of the statement read.

    The civil societies have had consultations concerning the lives of Kenya ranging from unemployment uncertainties and the high cost of living.

    Part of the statement read that the political leaders have violated several aspects of the Constitution while the nation or the public is watching on helplessly forgetting that the power rests with the people.

    the group of civil societies says that leaders have betrayed Kenyans’ quest for a sustainable solution to the ongoing food crisis, cost of living, and access to public services such as quality education, water, housing, and health contrary to Article 43 of the Constitutional of Kenya.

    Further, the group has said that leaders too have destroyed the economy and failed to use their mandates to fix those parts that need fixing, consequently making life unbearable for the majority of Kenyans.

    As the deputy president continues to say that the past regime led by President Emeritus Uhuru Kenyatta that government shelves were left with coffers, the group has also said that both regimes have over-borrowed, misspent, mismanaged, and stolen the proceeds of imprudent and expensive loans, leaving Kenyans with an unsustainable debt burden.

    Concerning the ongoing Tax conversations the group has a resolution that the government has instituted heavy taxes to pay for their largess and political arrangements by living opulent lifestyles and loading up the public wage bill with political cronies, while political allies evade taxes placing the taxation burden on the Kenyan taxpayer.

    Finally, the team has said that its high time to engage political leaders, regional actors, and the international community to work closely in pushing the Kenya recovery agenda including Agenda Four item of the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation Process 2008.

  • National Assembly Speaker urges media to disseminate factual information on legislative work.

    National Assembly Speaker urges media to disseminate factual information on legislative work.

    National Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula, held a meeting with the Executive Leadership of the Kenya Parliamentary Journalist Association (KPJA) yesterday to discuss the importance of media in disseminating factual information about legislative work.

    During the meeting, Dr. Wetang’ula emphasized that the media plays a crucial role in legislative work, and Parliament endeavors to facilitate journalists in covering parliamentary events.

    As the Patron of the Association, Dr. Wetang’ula praised the KPJA for their dedication in informing the public about the workings of the Kenyan Parliament.

    He highlighted that factual dissemination of parliamentary work from plenary and committees was key in enhancing proper public participation in legislation.

    He called on journalists to disseminate parliamentary news through all available mediums, including vernacular stations, to ensure comprehensive reach.

    The Speaker acknowledged the critical role played by Parliament in legislation, oversight, and representation, which is vital for stirring development across the country.

    He emphasized that factual and balanced reporting, which is informative to the public, is essential for ensuring accountability and transparency in the legislative process.

    The KPJA leadership also appreciated Parliament’s efforts and urged the Speaker to provide capacity building opportunities to enhance their skills in parliamentary reporting.

    The Kenya Parliamentary Journalist Association was established in the 9th Parliament to boost media efforts for the dissemination of factual news through specialized reporting in parliamentary affairs.

    The association’s executive members include Mr. Dancan Khaemba – Chairman, Ms. Elizabeth Mutuku – Vice Chairperson, Ms. Chemutai Goin – Secretary-General, Julius Otieno – Deputy Secretary-General, Irene Mwangi – Treasurer, Kevin Wachira – Organizing Secretary, Chris Nyamuta – Liaison.

    Dr. Wetang’ula assured the KPJA team of his support to enable them to effectively undertake their duties.

    He emphasized the role of media as a great partner in legislative work and encouraged journalists to disseminate parliamentary work through all available mediums to ensure comprehensive

  • Parliament approves Kenya Fish Marketing Authority chairperson nominee Hon. Ogindo

    Parliament approves Kenya Fish Marketing Authority chairperson nominee Hon. Ogindo

    The National Assembly has approved  Hon. Martin Otieno Ogindo for appointment as the Chairperson of the Kenya Fish Marketing Authority (KFMA).

    This followed the debate and the adoption of a Report by the Departmental Committee on Blue Economy, Water, and Irrigation which was before the House.

    The Committee Chaired by Hon. Kagongo Bowen earlier held suitability hearings for Mr. Ogindo who was nominated for the position by the President.

    The Committee assessed the nominee’s knowledge of the portfolio he had been nominated to hold, and his understanding of the challenges and opportunities available to Kenyans in the Blue Economy sector.

    Hon. Bowen told the House that if approved, the nominee committed to engaging all key stakeholders and undertaking proper scientific studies on the market gaps and local fishing challenges while crafting workable solutions to increase fish consumption in the country.

    He emphasized the unexplored possibilities of the Blue Economy industry in terms of its impact on the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In addition, Hon. Bowen pointed out that some countries in Africa, like Namibia, have witnessed the impact of the Blue Economy sector.

    “In Kenya, we haven’t exploited the Blue Economy space. In some countries for example Namibia, the Blue Economy sector contributes 60 percent of the Country’s GDP. We have a gap that should be closed,” said Hon. Bowen.

    The Vice-Chair, Hon. Kitayama gave assurance to the House about Mr. Ogindo’s competence. He emphasized the importance of reviewing the current laws established by Parliament to regulate the Blue Economy industry. “This action would be beneficial for the progress of the sector,” he said.

    Hon. Ogindo served as a Member of Parliament for Rangwe Constituency in the 10th Parliament.

  • Raila Odinga ignores President Ruto Bipartisan dialogue directives, prepares back to the street

    Raila Odinga ignores President Ruto Bipartisan dialogue directives, prepares back to the street

    The Azimio la Umoja team addressed the press barely one day before the bipartisan debate begins.

    On Tuesday afternoon, the Azimio La Umoja team, led by Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Martha Karua, came out to put out the conditions that the Kenya Kwanza regime must meet before the discussions can begin.

    Odinga-led team, in particular, threatened that they would not participate in any strictly parliamentary discourse. The team has stated that they have asked their team to solely engage in extra-parliamentary discussions that will include other stakeholders and take place outside parliament.

    Azimio made the statement after meeting with delegates and a seven-member delegation that would participate in bipartisan negotiations beginning on Thursday directing Hon Otiende Amollo who is the team leader of the Bipartisan talks to meet the Kenya Kwanza regime.

    Azimio blamed Kenya Kwanza, alleging they are not entering the discussions with pure hearts and intents, and that Ruto has ignored three of their demands.

    “Kenya Kwanza has no plans to hold the talks at all.” When Ruto invited us or spoke with us, he did not include all we had requested. He ignored critical concerns such as the cost of living and electoral injustice,” part of the statement read.

    “The inclusion of Azimio members in his team has exacerbated the delay in naming their chairman and leadership.” We learned last night that KKA has proposed forming a joint select committee in parliament. “The motion is in bad faith because we insisted on an extra-parliamentary process,” Kalonzo said.

    They insisted that the debate focus on four highlighted issues: the cost of Unga, fuel and energy, forensic examination of the servers, and bipartisan engagement talks of IEBC constitution.

    He further stated that Kenya Kwanza cannot tell them what they can and cannot bring to the table. Instead, Kalonzo stated that Azimio has asked the Leader of the Minority in the National Assembly to organize a meeting with their Kenya Kwanza counterparts so that they may explain their guidelines and findings to them before Thursday.

    “We remain committed to honest, transparent, and meaningful extra-parliamentary dialogue.” Our legislators will not participate in any other process. “We have directed Otiende Amollo to invite the KKA team to set the rules for the talks,” Kalonzo said.

    The squad also demanded and reiterated that the Kenya Kwanza regime must immediately take up the hospital bills of all Kenyans who sustained injuries as a result of police brutality during the recent protests and pay reparations for those who lost property.
    They vowed that the coalition’s weekly protests will begin at the end of Ramadhan.