President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza coalition has selected Tharaka MP George Murugara to lead the bipartisan talks committee.
On the other hand, Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja has chosen Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo.
The two MPs will lead a team that includes Ledama Ole Kina, Edwin Sifuna, Enoch Wambua, Amina Mnyanzi, Millie Odhiambo, David Pkosing (Azimio) and Boni Khalwale, Hillary Sigei, Esther Okenyuri, Mwengi Mutuse, Adan Keynan, and Lydia Haika (Kenya Kwanza).
During their first preliminary meeting on the bipartisan talks process, both parties expressed concern about the list of MPs chosen by each coalition to lead the talks.
While Azimio is concerned that Kenya Kwanza has appointed Adan Keynan (Jubilee Party) to the committee, the latter is concerned that Kenya Kwanza has appointed David Pkosing (KUP) to the committee.
“That amounts to a stalemate, but we have chosen to refer this matter to the leadership of our respective coalitions, with a view to having it resolved as soon as possible,” said National Assembly Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi.
However, the parliamentary leadership from both coalitions resolved to have the bipartisan talks process ongoing, even with the stalemate at hand.
“If there are areas that they will not agree, they will come back to us as the leadership of the two coalitions,” Wandayi added.
According to National Assembly majority leader Kimani Ichung’wa, Thursday’s meeting gives the go-ahead for members of the bipartisan committee to engage informally and review the terms of reference.
“It is the beginning and we all intend to settle the issues. We have been speaking at each other… but today we begin to speak to each other and put all the issues on the table,” Ichung’wa said.
