National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka made strides on their first day of the bipartisan talks held at the Bomas of Kenya on Wednesday, August 9.
The two leaders representing the government and the opposition, Azimio, respectively, agreed that the talks will officially commence on Monday next week.
Kalonzo added that the bipartisan team also approved and ordered the creation of a proper framework that will guide the negotiations.
"There are matters that need consultation in the next one or two days. We think that the technical team should sit by Friday this week and generate the necessary documents so that on Monday, we get moving," Kalonzo stated.
The team further agreed to refrain from revealing the contents of the discussions to the public. Kalonzo and Ichung'wah agreed to whip their sides into order and avoid leaking sensitive documents to the media.
"We have agreed that the committee members will not go out there over the weekend and begin to discuss matters that are strictly within the progress of these negotiations."
Ichung'wah, who also serves as Kikuyu MP, confirmed that a secretariat would be formed and presented before the National Assembly and the Senate by Monday, August 14.
The bipartisan team will thus be composed of the negotiating parties, the secretariat and technical staff.
"For secretariat services, we will also have technical teams backing up each of our teams," Ichung'wah, who arrived at the meeting late, stated.
The MP, who was part of President William Ruto's entourage in his first Mt Kenya tour, sent Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire to represent him at Bomas.
Kalonzo and his counterpart, however, did not disclose the issues that will be discussed. So far, the two sides are expected to address the high cost of living, the audit of the 2022 Presidential Election Results, the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the creation of the office of the official leader of the opposition and embedment of the office of the prime minister.
Kenya Kwanza Bipartisan Team
Comprises MP Kimani Ichung'wah, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, EALA MP Hassan Omar and Bungoma Woman Representative Catherine Wambilianga.
Kenya Kwanza is yet to select its technical committee members.
Azimio Bipartisan Team
Includes former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, DAP Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa, Nyamira Senator Okon'go Omogeni and Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi.
Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni will lead Azimio's legal and technical team, which is also yet to be announced.
