Kimani Ichung'wah Downplays Azimio's Move To Choose Date, Venue For Peace Talks: "We'll Consult"

• Kalonzo Musyoka, the Azimio peace talks team leader, had invited the Kenya Kwanza team for the inaugural talks at the Serena Hotel on August 7, 2023
• However, Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah was non-committal on the availability of the Kenya Kwanza team on the day suggested by Azimio
• In his response, Ichung'wah, who is the team leader for the Kenya Kwanza team, said they needed to consult first

Nairobi - National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah has confirmed receiving a letter from Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party regarding the proposed start of peace talks.

But in what could mark the beginning of back and forth between the two sides, Ichung'wah downplayed the date suggested by Azimio for the start of the talks.

Kalonzo suggested Serena Hotel

Azimio team, through Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, had suggested the inaugural talks to be held on August 7, 2023, at Serena Hotel.

However, Ichung'wah said they must consult before agreeing on the date, time and venue for the truce talks.

"Received Kalonzo Musyoka. As Agreed, we will consult over a cup of tea to find a mutually agreeable date, time and Venue," Ichung'wah said.

Earlier, Kalonzo, the leader of the Azimio dialogue team, explained in the statement to Ichung'wah that they wanted the discussions held and concluded before the end of August.

"We believe a speedy start and a time-bound programme is necessary to put the nation at ease. Consequently, we believe this process should end at the close of August 2023," he said.

Kioni downplays Ruto-Raila peace talks

Meanwhile, embattled Jubilee Party secretary-general Jeremiah Kioni expressed his reservation over the issues the government slated for deliberations with the Azimio la Umoja political faction, saying they have nothing to do with Kenyans.

During the talks, the Kenya Kwanza representatives are under instructions to confine themselves within the reconstitution of IEBC, implementation of two-thirds gender rule, entrenchment of constituency development fund, establishment and entrenchment of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition and embedment of the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.

On the other hand, Azimio has outlined, among other issues, the escalating cost of living and the 'punitive' finance law as the priority agenda items.

Kioni now says the lack of common ground as regards the issues to be discussed will jeopardise the dialogue.

According to him, the intended object of the engagements may not be realised if the sides will hold onto their respective stances.

"If you ask me, some of us are worried if there is any progress we are making. You can't say you are going to meet, yet you have not decided on the agenda for which you are meeting. If you will go to the table with conflicting agendas, how will you start? I don't think the discussions will be meaningful, it will be all play," Kioni said during an interview with Radio 47.