Editor's Review

The Kikuyu MP said the government is ready to cooperate in opening of the election servers as there's nothing to hide.

Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah has revealed the details of the inaugural meeting of the bipartisan engagement teams. 

Those representing Azimio and Kenya Kwanza in the talks met in a Nairobi hotel on Thursday, April 20, to lay the ground before setting off the talks. 

The bipartisan approach was called by President William Ruto in his bid to urge Azimio leader Raila Odinga to call off the mass action protests. 

Raila had taken to the streets to compel the government to look into, among other things, the soaring cost of living, the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), and the unresolved electoral matters that include the opening of the vote servers.

Speaking on Friday, Ichung'wah revealed that the Kenya Kwanza side had committed itself to the talks but gave conditions.

The leader of the majority in the National Assembly said the Kenya Kwanza side was ready to agree on the modalities to open the servers as they have nothing to hide.

The bipartisan team from Kenya Kwanza and Azimio sides after their inaugural meeting in Nairobi.

"Those of us in government are committed to talks. And we have put all our issues on the table and asked our friends to bring theirs," he said. 

Ichung'wah restated that only issues affecting Kenyans would be given priority during the engagements.

"Whether it is what they call electoral justice, the constitution of IEBC, we have said we have no interest in deciding who the commissioners will be. We have an interest in ensuring free and fair election...Even on the servers, we have asked them to bring it on the table," he stated.

The lawmaker was categorical that they would not condone any machinations to sneak in the discussions on handshake and power-sharing.