The ruling party has announced the formation of a five-member committee to hold bipartisan negotiations with the Azimio One Kenya coalition.

Kenya Kwanza stated on Tuesday that Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire will lead its team.

PHOTO | COURTESY Kimani Ichung'wa

Hassan Omar and Catherine Wambilianga have also been nominated for the negotiations.

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The Kenya Kwanza team also stated that they aim to discuss five agenda issues with the Azimio coalition, including the reconstruction of the IEBC and the adoption of the two-thirds gender rule.

Some issues the Kenya Kwanza teams want to address include forming an official office for the opposition leader, entrenching the Constituency Development Fund, and establishing the Prime Cabinet Secretary's office.

PHOTO | COURTESY Kimani Ichung'wa

The Kenya Kwanza team claimed in the same statement that there will be no discussion of 'hand shake' or 'Nusu Mkate'.

The Wednesday announcement of the Kimani Ichungwah-led delegation has now set the table for discussions between the Kenya Kwanza government and the opposition.

On Monday, the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition appointed five members to its delegation. Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka will lead the group, including Minority Party Leader Opiyo Wandayi and DAP Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa.

PHOTO | COURTESY Opiyo Wandayi

Senator Okon'go Omogeni of Nyamira and Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi are among the others.

Before the negotiations, the Azimio Coalition argued that no party should imply that it can dictate which concerns may and cannot be raised.

The Azimio delegation intends to raise problems such as the high cost of living, a review of the 2022 General Election, and the bipartisan reorganization of Kenya's electoral body (IEBC).

PHOTO | COURTESY  Olusegun Obasanjo

The second round of talks comes days after the start of a series of talks mediated by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo between President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga.

According to President Ruto, who confirmed the encounter, the first meeting was held to create the framework for the discourse.