Kalonzo asks national dialogue team to meet on Monday

Azimio co-principal and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka. [File, Standard]

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has invited Kenya Kwanza Coalition's national dialogue team to a meeting on Monday, August 7, to start talks, saying 'time is of the essence'.

Kalonzo was fronted as leader of the Azimio team in the national dialogue and is to work with the Leader Of Minority Opiyo Wandayi, DAP Party leader Eugene Wamalwa, Nyamira Senator Okongo Omogeni and Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi.

In a statement released Thursday evening, Kalonzo says they aim to finish the talks in a month's time, to give room for quick implementation of the resolutions from the dialogue.

"Today we extend an invitation to the Kenya Kwanza National Dialogue Team, the Leader of the Majority Party in the National Assembly, and the designated leader of the Kenya Kwanza delegation for the initial joint meeting of both parties at the Serena Hotel, Nairobi, on Monday, August 7, 2023, at 1 I am," Kalonzo's statement reads in part.

"We have taken this step because we believe time is of the essence. While a lot of hard work will be needed to resolve the issues at hand, we believe a speedy start and a time-bound program is necessary to put the nation at ease. Consequently, we believe this process should come to an end at the close of August 2023," he adds.

The Azimio la Umoja co-principal has also reiterated that his team is interested in discussing the cost of living, Audit of the 2022 Presidential Election Results, Restructuring and Reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and Related Matters, Prevention of Political Parties Interference as well as Outstanding Constitutional Matters.

Kenya Kwanza side has fronted National Assembly's Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah to lead the delegation in the national dialogue.

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Hassan Omar and Catherine Wambilianga were fronted as members of the delegation.

The team will engage the Opposition on several issues including the reconstitution of the IEBC Commission, the Implementation of the two-third gender rule, the entrenchment of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), the establishment of the Office of the Leader of Opposition and embedment of the Office of Prime Cabinet Secretary.