The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has voiced its opposition to the decision made by the Kenya Kwanza team to involve the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) as experts in discussions concerning the cost of living and the economy.
In a statement released on Monday, the political party expressed its reservations, citing past instances where these institutions had provided advice that, in their view, exacerbated the country’s challenges.
The statement included the assertion, ‘We express deep concern about the involvement of institutions like the World Bank and IMF for expert input.'”
The two institutions were intended to provide expert insights on how to tackle the issue of the high cost of living in the country. ODM has underscored its commitment to refusing any agreement that does not effectively address this concern.
In scheduled discussions for Tuesday, the opposition’s priority is to address the issue of the high cost of living before delving into other topics. The party firmly believes that the success of these talks hinges on addressing the issues that directly impact the lives of Kenyan citizens.
“It is with a sense of disquiet that we have noted recent attempts by the opposing side to downplay the critical importance of addressing the cost of living. We must emphasize that the high cost of living remains our top priority and is non-negotiable for us,” read the statement in parts.
ODM criticized the government for raising the prices of essential items such as fuel, which has added to the financial burden on the citizens. The party also expressed concerns about the introduction of additional taxes.
The talks, led by Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichung’wah and Azimio co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka, have been ongoing since August. In the previous meeting, the two parties reached an agreement to establish the offices of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and the opposition leader.
By Newshub