Breakthrough for Bipartisan team
To resolve critical concerns regarding the electoral commission, the bipartisan negotiations team established by Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja One Kenya yesterday constituted a six-member subcommittee.
Another significant milestone was the team’s decision to use a hybrid method for the discussion, involving participation from individuals outside of Parliament. The 14-member delegation wants Parliament to provide secretarial services, but the talks will be led by Parliament with participation from the Law Society of Kenya, county assembly members, and religious leaders.
The panel, which is co-chaired by George Murugara (Tharaka, UDA) and Otiende Amollo (Rarieda, ODM), decided yesterday to start by addressing the problems with the IEBC’s reorganization.
The Azimio team, which also includes Senators Enoch Wambua of Kitui and Millie Odhiambo of Suba North, will be led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. The Kenya Kwanza faction, which also includes Senators Boni Khalwale of Kakamega and Mwengi Mutuse of Kibwezi West, will be led by Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei.
Breakthrough for Bipartisan team
The two teams all agreed that the IEBC topic was of the utmost importance and needed to be given priority, Mr. Amollo said. “The IEBC question is a common issue as you would have noticed from the two teams,” he added.
“We expect that by the time we come back, they (six-member sub-committee) will have concretised thoughts around that and anyone with any idea is welcomed to share with us through our joint secretariat so that we factor them in our discussion.”
Mr. Murugara clarified that the team debated the three choices and ultimately decided on the hybrid way.
“This means that the talks will be both parliamentary and extra-parliamentary,” Mr. Murugara remarked. “We will acknowledge the existence of the Parliament and accept its work as a component of the Parliament, while extra-parliamentary means that non-parliamentarians will join the discussions and debate the contentious issues with us.”
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