Kalonzo, Ichung'wah Decide On 5 Key Issues In Ruto-Raila Talks
The two coalitions' teams converged at the Bomas of Kenya in a bid to end the political standoff which has culminated in anti-government protests led by the opposition.
Marvin Chege 
Wiper Party Leader, Kalonzo Musyoka on Friday, September 1 announced that the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) settled on five issues that will be classified as priorities in the ongoing bipartisan talks.
In a statement, Kalonzo who leads the Azimio la Umoja bipartisan side in the committee agreed to prioritize electoral and justice-related matters, a follow-up from the first deal they signed regarding the future of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to end the political standoff against the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
The second and third issues involved outstanding constitutional matters and fidelity to political parties and coalitions.
The last two priority issues dealt with entrenching funds into the constitution and the establishment and entrenchment of state officers.
Opiyo Wandayi (far left) joins Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka (Left) and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah (Right) during their meeting at Bomas of Kenya on September 1, 2023. /KALONZO MUSYOKA
“The NADCO this afternoon agreed on the order of priority that the issues tabled would be discussed.
"Electoral justice and related matters; Outstanding Constitutional matters; Fidelity to Political Parties / Coalitions, and law on multiparty democracy; Entrenching funds into the Constitution; and Establishment and Entrenchment of State Offices,” Kalonzo stated.
The two coalitions' teams converged at the Bomas of Kenya to resume the talks in a bid to end the political standoff which has culminated in anti-government protests led by the opposition.
Co-chaired by former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichung'wah, the teams on Wednesday, August 31 agreed on letting the IEBC Selection Panel continue its work without interference as the negotiations on other priority issues continue.
The agreement would allow the country to progress without problems, however, the grace period does not prevent the bipartisan teams from discussing electoral injustices in the country, viewed as the hottest issue to be discussed and also viewed as the most divisive.
"On the question of stopping the IEBC selection panel, we are not writing to them to stop them from working. We are sending them a judicial notice of the ongoings of this National Dialogue team," Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah stated.
"Therefore even as they progress their work, they take note that it is part of the issues we are engaging on. I am sure when we begin to engage stakeholders, those are among stakeholders most likely we shall talk to."
Azimio's Kalonzo weighed in on his part by revealing that the seven-member panel that is responsible for recruiting an entirely new leadership structure consisting of the Chairperson and six Commissioners of IEBC may also hear from them over the course of the talks.
The Wiper Leader however argued that the reconstitution of the IEBC cannot be excluded from the issues to be discussed in the talks as the Raila Odinga-led coalition has had one of its biggest clashes with the commission over electoral injustice in the country which they have constantly accused IEBC of.
"We have to approach these negotiations with good faith, and that is why we have allowed the Selection Panel to continue with its mandate," Kalonzo concurred with Ichung'wah.
