President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s teams in National Dialogue Committee have undertaken to turn a deaf ear to remarks by politicians on the ongoing talks.
Both the President and the Opposition chief have showed commitment to the talks but their allies have been sending mixed signals, some pushing for the talks to be abandoned.
President’s confidants, led by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have publicly asked him to leave the talks and focus on delivering on his mandate
But on Monday, National Dialogue Committee termed the ongoing talks at Bomas of Kenya as successful, so far.
The Kenya Kwanza and Azimio leadership in the talks said they were satisfied with the progress of the talks, which entered the third day on Monday.
All members of the committee showed up for the meeting save for the leader of the Azimio side Kalonzo Musyoka and Kenya Kwanza's Aaron Cheruiyot who are out of the country.
Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung'wah assured that the committee will not be distracted by remarks being made by politicians.
"What is being said out there will not determine our discourse. We will ignore all the noise," he said.
Leader of Minority Opiyo Wandayi said all communication from the committee will emanate from its leadership. “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.
Wandayi said the motion seeking to legally establish the committee has been forwarded to the Senate after it was adopted in the National Assembly.
"The Senate will consider the motion on Tuesday next week with the view of adopting it," he said.
Wandayi further announced that the technical teams will meet every day for deliberations until Thursday.
"They will be framing the issues for discussions up to Thursday and then join us on Friday when we will convene," he added.
Ichung'wah said the Senate being on recess, Speaker Amason Kingi will convene a special sitting to consider the motion.
"We have 60 days within which we should have completed our work. I want to note that the 60 days will start counting when the Senate adopts the motion," he said.
The technical teams from both side were last week tasked with framing the agenda items for consideration by committee.
The teams were briefed on the expectations of their respective sides and assigned to synchronise the proposals from the two sides.
Kenya Kwanza's, Embu Governor Cecil Mbarire, EALA MP Hassan Omar and Catherine Wambilianga were present during Monday’s meeting, which was the committee’s third.
Azimio's Eugene Wamalwa, Okon'go Omogeni and Amina Mnyazi attended the meeting.
The technical teams were also present. Kenya Kwanza comprise Muthomi Thiankolu, Linda Musumba, Duncan Ojwang and Nick Biketi.
The technical team representing Azimio comprises Jeremiah Kioni, Adams Oloo, Abubakar Zein Abubakar and Isabel Githinji.
The committee is expected to recommend appropriate legal and policy reforms on issues affecting Kenyans in line with the constitution and respecting functional and institutional integrity of state organs.
The agenda for discussion has emerged to be a thorn in the flesh for both sides.
Kenya Kwanza had named reconstitution of the IEBC, implementation of two-thirds gender rule, the 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 as the items for discussion.
Azimio named the cost of living, audit of the 2022 presidential election results, restructuring and reconstitution of the IEBC. It also wants interference with political parties discussed.
