Ichung'wah Absent As Journalists Chased From Bipartisan Talks

The media was on Wednesday, August 9 kicked out of the negotiation talks between the opposition and the government as National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah failed to show up in time for the talks between President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga's teams.

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire was forced to step in for Ichung'wah, who earlier accompanied Ruto to a rally in Naromoru, Nyeri County.

The Kikuyu MP was meant to co-chair the 10-member bipartisan committee meant to end the political impasse in the country that has seen the opposition take to the streets in protest against the government.

Mbarire explained that Ichung'wah could not make it to the meeting on time due to bad weather, despite the Azimio team led by former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka showing up early for the talks which were delayed as the teams waited for Ichung'wah to show up.

The county boss alongside Kalonzo then went on to ask journalists to leave the Bomas of Kenya minutes before the meeting began.

"We ask the media and other members who are not part of the negotiating team (those who are termed as friends) to leave us so that we can give preliminary issues," Mbarire stated. 

She also barred journalists from asking questions and directed them to wait outside in readiness for a press briefing.

The move came despite the government's emphasis that the talks will be broadcasted live, with President Ruto subjected to intense pressure from his camp to desist from holding the talks in secret.

Kenya Kwanza leaders had claimed that the opposition did not really have the best interests of Kenyans at heart and was not seeking the lowering of the cost of living, reconstruction of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and creation of the office of the opposition leader, among other demands. 

"If you get two seats and a camera, then you project it live on TV, we shall be able to ensure the issues you are engaging in are those that affect Kenyans," Ichung'wah stated during the Pemba Community citizenship award ceremony on July 28, 2023.

"Invite them for a roundtable discussion which must be live on TV. He must address his issues; is it lowering the cost of living or opening the IEBC servers?" 

The opposition and the ruling coalition, Kenya Kwanza, appointed Kalonzo and Ichung'wah, respectively, to lead the bipartisan talks. 

Ichung'wah, who was accompanying President Ruto and his Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua on their tour of the Mt Kenya region, sought permission from the Head of State to leave the rally in time for the talks in Nairobi.