Bipartisan talks: Ruto, Raila to decide fates of MPs Pkosing and Keynan

Pokot South MP David Pkosing (L) and Eldas MP Adan Keynan (R) [File, Standard]

President William Ruto and Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga will decide on the fates of two Members of Parliament (MPs) Adan Keynan (Eldas) and David Pkosing (Pokot South) following complaints of conflict of interest.

The two MPs are part of leaders who have been selected to engage in bipartisan talks.

The Azimio la Umoja coalition wants Keynan removed as a Kenya Kwanza bipartisan committee member on grounds that he is part of the Jubilee party which is under the Azimio la Umoja coalition.

On its part, the Kenya Kwanza alliance argue that Pkosing, who has been selected by Azimio la Umoja, is a member of the Kenya Union Party which has already shown engagement with the President Ruto led alliance.

"They [Kenya Kwanza] have also raised an issue in the course of our discussions about our inclusion of the Honourable Pkosing on grounds that Pkosing's party leader John Lonyangapuo has gotten into engagement with their party. Our objection has amounted to a stalemate," said National Assembly leader Opiyo Wandayi.

Wandayi, who was briefing the media, said the challenges have led to a stalemate that can only be solved by the coalition leaders.

"For us to resolve this matter and move forward, we shall be referring this matter to the leadership of our respective coalitions with the view of having it resolved as soon as possible. But more importantly, we have allowed the two negotiating teams to begin engaging informally," added Wandayi.

On his part, Leader of majority in the senate, Aaron Cheruiyot, alluded to the preliminary as a first sign of understanding between the two parties.

"At least, the process of first coming together and listening to each other has started. We have allowed two negotiating teams to begin exploring informally in terms of preference of bipartisan committee and nature they should take and if there are areas of disagreement then they get back to us," Cheruiyot said.

The teams have also settled on two members; Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo andTharaka Nithi MP Murugara Gitonga to lead the bipartisan talks.

The negotiation team has been urged to put the interest of Kenyans at heart while leading the discussions and take up arising matters beyond them to the parliament.

The Kenya Kwanza team for the bipartisan talks comprises of senators Boni Khalwale (Kakamega), Hillary Sigei (Bomet), Esther Okenyuri (Nominated), MPs Adan Keynan (Eldas), George Murugara (Tharaka), Mwengi Mutuse (Kibwezi West) and Taita Taveta Woman Representative Lydia Haika.

Azimo settled on senators Ledama ole Kina (Narok), Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi), Enoch Wambua (Kitui), MPs Millie Odhiambo (Suba North), David Pkosing (Pokot South), Otiende Amollo (Rarieda) and Amina Mnyazi (Malindi).

The 14-member ad-hoc team will be expected to set the ground rules of the talks whose outcome will be tabled in Parliament within 90 days.