Bipartisan talks: Senators Sifuna, Sigei to lead team reviewing reconstitution of IEBC panel

Azimio and Kenya Kwanza Bipartisan Committee members interact before addressing the media in Nairobi on April 25, 2023. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

The 14-member Bipartisan Committee has announced the formation of a six-member sub-committee to discuss the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) panel and commission.

Co-chairs Otiende Amollo and George Murugara announcing the decision in Nairobi on Wednesday, May 17, said that the members had also finalised the framework that will guide the discussions.

During the talks, the committee addressed the matter of the IEBC selection panel and its commission constitution.

The committee agreed to prioritise the constitution of the IEBC and address it in the next meeting.

"We have formed a subcommittee comprising six members from each side, with Edwin Sifuna, Wambua, and Milly Odhiambo as members representing the Azimio side, and Khalwale, Hillary Sigei, and Mutuse representing Kenya Kwanza. Sifuna will lead the team from Azimio, while Sigey will lead the team from Kenya Kwanza," Amollo said.

They further mentioned that the sub-committee members will represent the Azimio and Kenya Kwanza teams in the talks.

According to Kenya Kwanza's George Murugara, the bipartisan talks will encompass both parliamentary and extra-parliamentary components.

In the parliamentary aspect, the committee will receive recognition from the Parliament and carry out its work as an integral part of the legislative body.

The extra-parliamentary dimension will involve non-parliamentarians joining the discussions to address the contentious issues and provide assistance. To support this, two joint secretaries, lawyers Dr. Muthomi Thiankolu and Paul Mwangi, both members of the committee, have been incorporated.

Additionally, the Bipartisan Committee has written a letter to Speakers of Parliament, seeking confirmation of the committee's existence and requesting recognition and support from Parliament as regards finances and facilitation.