• Leaders allied to the government have told those on the panel that the talks should help address issues bedeviling Kenyans.
• Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot asked both Azimio and Kenya Kwanza teams to discuss issues with sobriety and ensure the country does not tear apart.
Image: ROBERT OMOLLO
Members of Kenya Kwanza's bipartisan talks team have been asked to focus on the interests of Kenyans during the talks with Azimio instead of their personal interests.
Leaders allied to the government have told those on the panel that the talks should help address issues bedeviling Kenyans.
The talks are expected to start on Tuesday next week.
The leaders made the calls on Saturday during a funds drive in Homa Bay County.
They included Interior PS Raymond Omollo, Senate Majority Leader Aron Cheruiyot, Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, MPs Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Paul Abuor (Rongo) and Elisha Odhiambo (Gem).
Nelson Koech (Belgut) Japhet Nyakundi (Kitutu Chache North), Felix Odiwuor (Lang’ata) and Mukunji Gitonga (Manyatta) were also in attendance.
Cheruiyot said MPs engaged in the bipartisan talks should cede their hardline grounds and seek solutions to end conflict in the country.
“Kenyans want to have a solution in the bipartisan talks which we hope to start on Tuesday. The talks should yield fruits so that Kenyans can remain peaceful and united,” Cheruiyot said.
He was speaking at the Homa Bay Central SDA church during a funds drive.
The Kericho Senator urged the political leaders to come up with appropriate methodologies that will help the country address pertinent problems.
Azimio leadership through Raila Odinga wants issues such as the high cost of living, reforms in the electoral body (IEBC), inclusivity in government appointments among others.
Raila also demands the opening of the servers for the 2022 presidential election.
Cheruiyot asked both Azimio and Kenya Kwanza teams to discuss issues with sobriety and ensure the country does not tear apart.
“Differences in the opinion should not make the country not progress. The high cost of living is getting addressed through giving subsidised fertilisers even though the opposition wants a subsidy as a solution," he added.
Nyamita challenged MPs leading the talks from both Azimio and Kenya Kwanza to stop chest thumping.
Azimio bipartisan team is led by Otiende Amolo while Kenya Kwanza is led by Senator Bonny Khalwale.
Nyamita asked the teams to avoid anti-development discussions and peg their talks on the interests of Kenyans rather than the interests of individual leaders.
“It's high time leaders stopped chest thumping in this matter. Let's be driven by the interests of the common man who is suffering in Kenya,” Nyamita said.
Ojienda challenged leaders to shelve their personal interests and create a conducive environment for economic growth.
He argued that this will ensure there is peace that can enable Kenyans undertake business activities critical for economic growth.
“Let's avoid violence and focus on business and other economic activities to develop Kenya. Economic activities require an environment where people are peaceful,” Ojienda said.
He told Nyanza residents to support President William Ruto’s government to enable them acquire development projects.
“It's important to support the government as the people of Nyanza to enable us to get development projects,” Ojienda said.
PS Omollo urged Nyanza residents to respect all elected leaders to enhance harmony and peaceful co-existence.
“Any leader who was elected and sworn into an office was voted by Kenyans. Let us respect them as required by the Bible,” Omollo said.
Abuor also urged political leaders in the Opposition to respect President Ruto’s government.
“We should work with the government and President Ruto,” Abuor said.