Bipartisan talks designed to address political unrest in the country have kicked off in earnest after Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja negotiators yesterday agreed to form two technical teams to support the dialogue process.

Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who is leading the Azimio side described the first sitting at the Bomas as successful, saying the main agenda will begin on Monday.

“Speakers of both Houses will provide Hansard reporters because documents will be generated and they will be presented on the floors of the Senate and National Assembly,” Kalonzo said.

The agenda will be discussed on Monday. “We are yet to agree on the agenda items. When we meet again we will agree on how to frame the agenda,” Kalonzo said.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, the leader of the Kenya Kwanza side, also termed the first meeting as successful.

“We will begin once we frame the agenda items. We do not have the luxury of failing,” he said. But earlier, during President William Ruto’s tour of Kiambu, a tough talking Inchungwah had made it clear about his mission in the talks.

“I have been tasked by the President to lead the talks for our side. I want to make it clear. I want go and tell Kalonzo that there is no room for violence or demonstrations, no handshake or power sharing. I will also tell them that the job of lowering the cost of living belongs to the President and he is busy at it,” he told a rally in Kiambu before heading to Bomas.

Kalonzo said the bipartisan talks were for the interest of the country and not individuals.
In his opening statement, Kalonzo said the issues that have assembled them at the Bomas should not further divide, but unite them as leaders.

“I believe that although we have been seconded here by our parties, we are here for our nation. Dialogue, peace, stability and prosperity whose name we gather are not party issues. These are Kenyan issues. These are our aspirations as the people of Kenya,” he said.

He urged the leaders representing both sides of the political divide to fully commit to the process and not let Kenyans down.

Opposition team

Kalonzo declared that in the talks, no form of power-sharing or any self-seeking interest will be put on the table for negotiation. He said Azimio will hold the bipartisan negotiations in good faith, and seek solutions that will address the rights and interests of all Kenyans.

Kalonzo said the Opposition team will conduct the talks with integrity and transparency, and respect the rule of law, as well as the dignity of all picked to take part in the negotiations. The delegation will be led by Kalonzo, National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi and DAP party leader Eugene Wamalwa.

Others include Nyamira Senator Okon’go Omogeni and Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi.

From Kenya Kwanza would be Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, EALA MP Hassan Omar and Bungoma Woman Rep Catherine Wambilianga.

On Thursday last week, in a letter inviting the Kenya Kwanza team for initial talks, Kalonzo listed five key issues for discussion.

They include the cost of living, audit of the 2022 presidential election results, restructuring and reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and related matters, measures to prevent interference with political parties, and outstanding constitutional matters – governance issues, adequate checks and balances, and the question of boundaries delimitation.

The Raila Odinga-led Azimio coalition has been at crossroads with Ruto’s government, especially over the high cost of living which saw the Opposition stage protests to push for lowering of the cost of basic commodities.

Raila has also been at odds with President Ruto over alleged fraud in last year’s General Election after Raila claimed his victory was stolen.

Ruto says he is keen on restoring the country’s fiscal discipline after public debt surged massively under his predecessor, President Uhuru Kenyatta.

However, Ruto’s decision to increase taxes on a wide range swathe of economic activities as part of the Finance Act 2023 has faced pushback from civil servants and political opponents, including Raila.