Bipartisan talks to start officially on Monday

The bipartisan talks between the Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja coalitions will start officially on Monday, August 14.

Speaking to the press, the team leaders Kimani Ichung'wah of Kenya Kwanza and Azimio's Kalonzo Musyoka said that they are waiting for a proper framework from the technical team in order to officially start the talks.

"The conversation will officially start on Monday. On Friday the technical team will seat and come up with a framework that will guide the conversation on Monday. Time is of the essence and therefore we plan on starting the talks as soon as possible," said Musyoka.

His counterpart Ichung'wah said that "We have had a very successful meeting this morning. We have agreed that will begin the dialogue process on Monday once we frame the agenda items and we will have that ready by Monday."

The two said that the talks will purely cater for the interests of Kenyans and not individual or party interests as was witnessed in the previous failed bipartisan talks.

Musyoka further added that members of the team will not be allowed to discuss details of the meetings elsewhere.

"You are going to see good order from the leaders in this committee as members will not be allowed to go out there and discuss the details of our meetings," he said.

The two teams have expressed willingness to engage in the talks.

Earlier Musyoka had assured Kenyans that the negotiations would be in good faith and that it will seek to uphold and promote integrity.

Ichungwa'h backing him up said that: "We will be engaging in mutual respect all in the interest of this country and not in private interests. We cannot afford to fail. The issues are heavy but we will engage in good faith."

The talks are expected to address the high cost of living, the audit of the 2022 Presidential Election Results, restructuring, and reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).