Kenya Kwanza unveils 5-person team for talks with Azimio

Kenya Kwanza said in a statement on Tuesday that Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah would lead its team, which would also include Senate Majority Leader Araon Cheruiyot and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire.

Other members appointed to the talks include Hassan Omar and Catherine Wambilianga. 

The Kenya Kwanza team also listed five agenda items that they intend to discuss with the Azimio coalition, including the reconstitution of the IEBC and the implementation of the two-thirds gender rule.

Other issues that the Kenya Kwanza teams intend to raise include the establishment of the opposition leader's official office, the entrenchment of the Constituency Development Fund, and the embedding of the Prime Cabinet Secretary's office.

In the same statement, the Kenya Kwanza team stated that there would be no discussion of any kind on 'hand shake' or 'Nusu Mkate'.

The unveiling of the Kimani Ichungwah-led team on Wednesday has now set the stage for talks between the Kenya Kwanza government and the opposition.

The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition named five members to its delegation on Monday. The delegation will be led by Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and will include Minority Party Leader Opiyo Wandayi and DAP Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa.

Others include Nyamira Senator Okon'go Omogeni and Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi.

Prior to the negotiations, the Azimio Coalition insisted that no party should assert that it can decide for the other which issues can be brought up and which ones cannot.

The high cost of living, a review of the 2022 General Election, and the bipartisan reorganisation of Kenya's electoral commission (IEBC) are some of the issues the Azimio delegation plans to bring up.

Other issues include respect for political parties in accordance with the constitution and inclusivity in governmental affairs.

The new round of talks comes just days after President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga held the first of a series of talks mediated by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.

President Ruto, who confirmed the meeting, stated that the first meeting was intended to lay the groundwork for the dialogue.