SIASA: Why Rigathi is sowing discord in Kenya Kwanza-Azimio talks

Both President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga have shown commitment to the talks but their allies have been sending mixed signals, some pushing for the talks to be abandoned.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has publicly insisted that the ‘dialogue’ between the two warring sides is headed nowhere.

In remarks likely to deepen distrust between the two parties, the second in command on Tuesday said Kenyans should not expect anything from the ongoing talks at the Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi.

Gachagua said Raila had already gotten what he had been pushing for from the Kenya Kwanza government.

“Raila wanted us to give him a handshake and three ambassadorial seats but we said no. We told him, if you want some little money, we can discuss,” Gachagua said during a funeral in Mwala, Machakos county, on Tuesday.

Gachagua said the ongoing talks had nothing to do with the public interest, but about a few leaders’ interests. He said Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka might be used for political gains.

The National Dialogue Committee is yet to harmonise the talks' agenda, as the DP maintains the discussions have nothing to do with public welfare.

The technical teams from both sides were given until Thursday (August 24) to synchronise the agenda, which will be presented to the committee on Friday.

Luanda MP Dick Maungu termed the Deputy President’s comments “unfortunate”. He said an environment of utmost good faith must prevail for any dialogue to bear fruit.

“He is the last person who should be casting aspersions on the talks. It is, however, expected of him because he is the same person who has been talking about shares in government,” Maungu said.

He said Kenyans have high expectations of the talks because they want a stable and prosperous nation.

“Kenyans are looking forward to fruitful talks yet the DP is sowing the seeds of discord,” he stated.

Political commentator Daniel Orogo, however, said the Deputy President is not sowing discord in the ongoing talks but communicating his dissatisfaction.

Just as the first wife seeks to safeguard her relationship, the Deputy President is strategically manoeuvering to ensure his relevance and influence within the political landscape

He said Gachagua is communicating his fear of the negative political impact the talks could have on his future ambitions.

“We can learn from the impact similar talks had on William Ruto, now the President of the Republic of Kenya. The nature of post-election reconciliation talks is that they set an agenda for coming elections and have vested interests from both domestic and international players,” he said.

Orogo added the Deputy President seems to be aware of how the talks might undermine his future and is on a charm offensive against the dialogue in person and through proxies.

“However, he should be seen as a leader who embraces inclusivity, peace and stability instead of one who prefers disunity, exclusion and discord,” Orogo said.

Political analyst Fred Sasia said in many ways, the Deputy President's apprehension can be likened to the metaphor of a ‘first wife’ who fears any woman engaging with her husband.

“Just as the first wife seeks to safeguard her relationship, the Deputy President is strategically manoeuvering to ensure his relevance and influence within the political landscape,” he explained.

Sasia said Gachagua’s stance appears rooted in apprehensions about the potential outcomes of the committee's discussions and its impact on his own political standing.

“The Deputy President seems keen to avoid a situation similar to what transpired after the ‘handshake’ between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga,” he explained.

He said then Deputy President Ruto was relegated to an opposition-like role within the government. “The memory of this shift in power dynamics serves as a cautionary tale for the current DP as he treads cautiously to protect his political space,” he added.

The committee is expected to recommend legal and policy reforms on issues affecting Kenyans in line with the Constitution and respecting the functional and institutional integrity of state organs.

Kenya Kwanza had named the reconstitution of the IEBC, implementation of two-thirds gender rule, the entrenchment of the CDF, the establishment of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition and embedding the Office of Prime Cabinet Secretary as the items for discussion.

Azimio, on the other hand, had named the cost of living, audit of the 2022 presidential election results and restructuring and reconstitution of the IEBC. It also wants to discuss ending interference with political parties.

Another confidant of the President, former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama has also publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the talks. He said it is imprudent for the person who lost the election to call for dialogue.

Muthama said their focus should be on delivering what they promised to Kenyans.

"He (Raila) took us to the Supreme Court and our victory was upheld, now, he is asking the President for talks. Why should we have these talks yet we have our policies to implement?" Muthama asked on Tuesday.

Even with all the noise and clamour, the committee has determined to ignore remarks by politicians on the talks.

Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung'wah emphasised the committee will not be distracted by politicians’ remarks.

"What is being said out there will not determine our discourse. We will ignore all the noise," he said on Monday.

Leader of Minority Opiyo Wandayi, said, “All communication shall come from the leadership of the committee or the deputies. You will not hear us shouting in rallies in the villages,” he said.

The committee has 60 days to complete its work. Its leadership said the countdown will start when the team is legally set up.

A motion to legally establish the committee has been forwarded to the Senate after it was adopted in the National Assembly.

The Senate is to consider the motion on Tuesday next week with a view to adopting it.

Early this month, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro also tried to persuade President Ruto to ditch the talks and instead focus on building the nation

“Even that dialogue, I’m asking you, Mr President, to leave it. I have listened to Kenyans who are our bosses. Please drop that dialogue and continue working as Kenya moves forward," he said.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has also asked the President to abandon the talks and said they would not yield any benefits.

“Your Excellency, I don't want to be a prophet of doom, I've never been one but I've been in this space long enough to observe something. Nothing will come out of these so-called talks,” he said at Sagana State Lodge in Nyeri.

Even so, the committee has termed the ongoing talks at Bomas of Kenya successful, so far.

The Kenya Kwanza and Azimio leadership of the talks said they were satisfied with the progress of the discussions, which will enter their fourth day on Friday.