Members privileged to present their cases during the bipartisan talks should put everything on the table. They should begin with whatever they consider most important and close to their hearts.
Kenya Kwanza is dead serious it wants no coalition government, no handshake or anything that will slice the bread its tightly holding. It also wants Azimio to recognise it as the legitimately elected government. Moreover, there is nothing that irks Kenya Kwanza more than waking up to find that Raila Odinga is still in town, influential and powerful as ever. There is so much Railaphobia.
It is inconceivable there will be a meeting held by this side without calling out Raila. They have to tell the world that this man, Raila, is the problem of Kenyans.
Additionally, some have stretched their fears to a point of trying to appease this Raila to retire. They have run out of political strategy to render him irrelevant to voters. Look, put your fears and failures to dislodge the aging man from the political scene in a civilised manner on the table as well. Indicate how many times, you have very generously desired to discuss this man's retirement package and he has very stubbornly refused to bite.
Further, yes, put on the table the strategic promises of an improved economy and cost of living in the next few months that the Azimio coalition blocked from bearing fruit. That will put it to shame. Insist that a little patience will bear fruit. After all, remind those negotiating how badly the previous regime ran down the economy. Your messianic economic revolution will surely bring back our beloved country to its glory soon. Tell them.
The Azimio coalition brigade should step up to state it is case. Tell the world about your stolen 2022 victory and why the server must be opened in its original form. Assure Kenya Kwanza that you can do without a loaf for the next five years. After all, man does not live on bread alone.
State your case, loud and clear that those who have benefited from the Kenya Kwanza government or consider that the elections are over and the government in power is the will of Kenyans are either too scared of hearing anything to the contrary should the election audit turn in a different result or are simply in denial that a great electoral injustice happened.
Tell the delegates or Members of Parliament - as the case may be - that maandamano are a tool of redress properly embedded in the law of the land. Announce it louder that this time Kenyans are not accepting to move on.
Kenyans expect mature, foresight and politically moral sound outcomes from the bipartisan dialogue. Law and morality must apply to solve the chaos we are in.
The proposed bipartisan approach is a dialogue. The moment you call it a dialogue and not a negotiation or mediation, much as the three peace-building concepts are related, you actually choose the following terms and conditions.
Dialogues are as good as the parties involved are open to each other. There is no fruitful dialogue in which genuinely deep-seated grievances are not fully disclosed. Kenya Kwanza and Azimio have no room to hide their innermost concerns. Crude as it may sound, just as it sounds in the opening paragraphs above - say it.
Consequently, either party must endure the claims of the opponent, gross as they may be put across. Candid expressions from the aggrieved parties will lead to a better resolution. Hidden grievances mean they will not be resolved and so the problem will emerge in the future in a different context using different means at the slightest trigger. Whoever, therefore, tries to downplay the concerns of either party will be committing a great injustice to this country.
The bipartisan dialogue is about listening without judgement, digging for truth to set us free from the past history of betrayal.
Dr Mokua is executive director, Loyola Centre for Media and Communication
