Representatives of the two sides of the political divide will today embark on the much-awaited talks on how to resolve key political issues facing the country, including how to reconstitute the electoral commission.

Though the lead negotiators last week described their first ice-breaking meeting last week as cordial, tough and hardline stances taken by both sides since signal that the talks will be anything but easy or cordial.

Already, negotiators allied to the Opposition Azimio Coalition have tabled some of their demands, including having the talks concluded within 30 days.

Both they and representatives of the ruling Kenya Kwanza Alliance have also ruled out a power sharing arrangement.

Yesterday, Azimio leader Raila Odinga held talks with US congressman Chris Coons in what analysts said was to ease tensions and ensure that no team takes a hardline position. The talks will be chaired by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Both camps have already picked technical teams who will be tasked to fine tune agenda for the meetings to be held at the Bomas. Yesterday, the technical teams were held up in meetings to plan for today’s talks. But even as this was happening, leading Kenya Kwanza stalwarts declared that there was no need for international mediators and that there would be no political reward for violent protests.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi struck a hardline note when he said Kenya does not need an international mediator to chair talks on the five-point agenda expected to be at the heart of the talks.
“Kenya is not a failed State; it has a duly elected President and a working Cabinet. In fact, we would like Obasanjo to exercise his expertise in Niger,” he told a meeting of Muslim women in Kakamega at the weekend.

Incidentally, his position in government is expected to be one of the issues up for debate with Kenya Kwanza seeking to have it entrenched in the Constitution alongside that of Official Leader of the Opposition.

Mudavadi said the government was set to pay a huge price for the 2007/08 post-election violence after the East African Court of Justice awarded a USD 150 million (Sh21 billion) claim in damages for losses incurred by businesses during the violence that ended after the then President Kibaki of PNU and ODM leader Raila signed the peace accord under the stewardship of the late UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. “When some people call for maandamano, you take it as a joke but now you’ve to pay with your sweat,” Mudavadi said.

On his part, Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, highlighted the importance of the ongoing talks, saying they were meant to find a common ground and advance the country. Wetang’ula said he was confident that the talks will give way for a lasting solution to issues that are of concern to both sides.

“We have chosen the Bungoma Woman Rep, Catherine Wambilianga, to represent our party in the ongoing talks,” he said but added, “I call on my fellow Kenyans to be patient and allow President William Ruto and his government time to implement his vision for the nation.”

Separately, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki warned politicians against bringing violence into the equation of dialogue. He said no politician should threaten Kenyans that in the event dialogue fail they will unleash violence and destroy property.

He spoke a day after Raila said he would call for new forms of protests — including for people to stay indoors — if the new round of talks fails (Story on Page 5). Speaking in Nyeri, Kindiki said the government will not allow such protests to happen and will deal firmly with those behind such acts.
“As a ministry, we want to say that we welcome dialogue but let nobody threaten the security of this nation. We will deal with them firmly and ruthlessly,” Kindiki said.

He took a swipe at politicians he accused of unleashing terror on Kenyans after losing elections, saying that it was time they respect the law.

Meanwhile, Wiper Democratic Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who is leading the Azimio negotiation team, at the weekend said the talks will favour the interests of Kenyans, not individuals or political parties.
Besides Kalonzo, Azimio has National Assembly Minority Party Leader Opiyo Wandayi and DAP-Kenya Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa. Others are Nyamira Senator Okong’o O’mogeni and Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi.

The Kenya Kwanza team is led by Ichung’wah and will also include Senate Majority Leader Araon Cheruiyot and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire. Other members appointed to the talks include Hassan Omar and Wambilianga.

Kenya Kwanza has listed five agenda items that it wants discussed, including the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and the implementation of the two-thirds gender rule.