- The legislator also called for the talks to be held in a public space and the media to be allowed to be present.
- "Don't tell Kenyan people you are not interested in handshake then you want us to engage behind closed doors," he said.
Image: FILE
National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah has said the bi-partisan team can only engage in dialogue based on mutual respect.
Speaking in Othaya on Monday, Ichung'wah said the talks will not proceed with threats from the Opposition.
"We are ready to engage with you based on mutual respect. Not with threat, not with blackmail. You must not blackmail us so that if we don't do what you want, you will go back to the streets. If you want to go back nendeni mtapambana na wenye mtapatana huko," he said.
The legislator also called for the talks to be held in a public space and the media to be allowed to be present.
"Don't tell Kenyan people you are not interested in handshake then you want us to engage behind closed doors," he said.
Ichung'wah's remarks followed Raila's recent ultimatums for the bi-partisan talks to start or Azimio resumes street protests.
Speaking on Sunday, the former Prime Minister said he will issue new directives to his supporters should the talks fail to take off as soon as possible.
"Azimio is ready to have talks with the Kenya Kwanza government. We are giving the Ruto-led administration 30 days ultimatum. After that, if our demands are not met, I will issue new instructions," Raila said.
The two sides have settled on the Bomas of Kenya as the venue for the bi-partisan talks.
On Thursday last week, in a letter inviting the Kenya Kwanza team for initial talks, Kalonzo Musyoka who will lead the Azimio team listed five key issues for discussion.
They include the cost of living, audit of the 2022 Presidential Election Results, restructuring and reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and related matters, measures to prevent interference with political parties, and outstanding constitutional matters - governance issues, adequate checks and balances, and the question of boundaries delimitation.
The Kenya Kwanza team had also listed their five issues including the reconstitution of the IEBC Commission, implementation of two-thirds gender rule, entrenchment of the Constituency Development Fund and the establishment, entrenchment of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition and embedment of the Office of Prime Cabinet Secretary.