Boni Khalwale Rebukes Mt Kenya Politicians For Opposing Ruto-Raila Talks: "Premature"

• Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale said he supports the dialogue initiated by President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga
• Khalwale hit out at elected leaders from the Mt Kenya region who had protested what they termed as exclusion of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in the initial talks
• According to Khalwale, the second in command can be selected to be part of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance negotiation team

Kakamega - Senator Boni Khalwale has criticised Kenya Kwanza Alliance leaders from Mt Kenya for issuing demands over the talks between President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Khalwale said it was premature for Mt Kenya leaders to demand the inclusion of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in the initial talks.

Khalwale agreed with Ruto and Raila holding initial talks because they were the ones who were fighting for votes from Kenyans.

Khalwale supports Ruto-Raila talks

The outspoken senator suggested that if Mt Kenya leaders want Gachagua to be part of the talks, they should propose his name to the five-member delegation of Kenya Kwanza Alliance.

"I want to ask my brothers from Mt Kenya. I saw you running around yesterday lamenting that the deputy president should have been involved in the talks. Lawmakers from Mt Kenya, you are being premature. The first two people who sat and agreed were Ruto and Raila because they were on the ballot," Khalwale.

The Kakamega senator threw his weight behind the talks, saying Ruto and the former prime minister should talk and not let innocent Kenyans lose lives because of political differences.

"For Ruto and Raila to sit and talk, is something good because it is better for them to sit in a room and have a discussion and for the country to be safe. Let not our children die because of us politicians," he added.

Azimio names 5 people to dialogue committee.

In a related development, the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party named its five representatives to the talks with Ruto's team.

In a statement, the ODM leader settled on Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka to lead the 5-member opposition team.

Other team members include former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, National Assembly Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi, Nyamira senator Okong'o Omogeni and Amina Munyasi, MP Malindi.