Azimio and Kenya Kwanza teams set to start talks today after stalemate

Bipartisan Dialogue Committee co-chairperson Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo. [David Njaaga, Standard]

The anticipated talks between the government and the opposition are finally set to begin today.

The co-chairperson of the Bipartisan Dialogue Committee, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, has invited the 13 members to a meeting at the Bomas of Kenya from 10am.

This comes a day after Azimio leader Raila Odinga gave Kenya Kwanza two days to commence the talks or the opposition explores other options to achieve their goals.

"The talks must start earnest on Wednesday. If their delegation is not ready by Wednesday, we will treat that gentleman's agreement as cancelled," said Raila on Monday.

The team co-chairperson George Muragara said the Kenya Kwanza team was ready for the talks.

Last week, the Azimio leadership met with their seven-member team ahead of the meetings. The first round of the talks failed after Azimio accused Kenya Kwanza of acting in bad faith by nominating Eldas MP Adan Keynan to be part of the team. Keynan is a member of the Jubilee Party, an affiliate of Azimio. The MP has been replaced by Saku MP Dido Raso.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa said: "We have consulted with Keynan and the coalition's top leadership and he (Keynan) has gracefully agreed in the greater interest of the country to recuse himself to the committee."

Fresh instructions

Some of the new instructions given to the committee members are the finalisation of the talks within 30 days.

The committee will discuss Azimio's demands for reduced commodity prices, an audit of last year's presidential election, the return of subsidies on basic goods and the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, among other issues.

Azimio has also instructed its team to push for the extension of the talks beyond the Parliament.

However, no demands have come from the Kenya Kwanza side owing to the fact that the government appealed to Azimio to stop demonstrations and give dialogue a chance.

The Kenya Kwanza team comprises Senators Boni Khalwale (Kakamega), Hillary Sigei (Bomet) and Essy Okenyuri (Nominated), and MPs Murugara (Tharaka), Mwengi Mutuse (Kibwezi West), Dido Raso (Saku) and Taita Taveta Woman Rep Lydia Haika.

Azimio representatives are senators Ledama Kina (Narok), Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi) and Enock Wambua (Kitui), and MPs Amollo, Millie Odhiambo (Suba North), Amina Mnyazi (Malindi) and David Pkosing (Pokot South).

Kenya Kwanza picked lawyer Muthomi Thiankolu to join lawyer Paul Mwangi of Azimio as joint secretaries.