Political rivals Kenya Kwanza and Azimio have insisted that their talks will not focus on power sharing amid anxiety within both camps.
The two teams have already unveiled their representatives to the 10-member panel that seeks to hammer a deal that will diffuse political tensions and address key issues raised by either camp.
The negotiators are expected to hold their inaugural meeting anytime to set the ground rules and prepare the atmosphere for constructive engagements.
''As agreed, there shall be no discussions of whatever nature on matters handshake or nusu mkate,'' declared Nation Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wa.
Ichung'wa is Kenya Kwanza's team leader to the negotiating table that also has his Senate Counterpart Aaron Cheruiyot and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire.
Others are Bungoma Woman Representative Catherine Wambirianga and East African Legislative Assembly member Hassan Omar.
Ichung'wa's remarks lifted the lid on the boiling jitters about a handshake or nusu mkate government and palpable fear over such an arrangement.
'Nusu Mkate' was a term coined to refer to the government of national unity similar to the one crafted in 2007 following the political standoff that ensued after the disputed president elections.
Raila would serve in the government between 2008-2012 as the Prime Minister under the then President Mwai Kibaki after the two sides agreed to share power brokered by ex-UN boss Kofi Annan.
The term handshake refers to a political cooperation akin to Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta's deal with Raila in 2018 following the disputed 2017 presidential elections.
With the Kenya Kwanza camp speaking strongly against the possibility of a nusu mkate or handshake government, Azimio is also reading from the same script.
''We have said repeatedly that we're not interested in any form of handshake or nusu mkate, We want Kenya Kwanza to run its government as we keep it in check,'' declared National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi.
Wandayi is also in the Azimio team of five members that includes Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka(team leader), DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, Nyamira Senator Okong'o Omogeni and Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi.
Ichung'wa insisted that the talks will focus on the five issues that the Kenya Kwanza team raised despite protests from Azimio.
''Kenyans made their decision at the ballot in the elections held in August last year and we shall not discuss anything to do with nusu mkate government,'' Ichung'wa said.
''That we will not accept and if they do not want to take the five issues we have on the table, let them go back to the streets.''
Kenya Kwanza's issues include reconstitution of the electoral commission, implementation of the two-thirds gender rule and the entrenchment of the National Government Constituency Development Fund(CDF) in the constitution.
Others are the entrenchment of the Office of the Leader of Opposition and Prime Cabinet Secretary in the constitution.
However, Azimio has top on its agenda the cost of living, audit of the 2022 elections, reconstitution of IEBC, police brutality, inclusivity and respect for democratic institutions.
Azimio has been insisting that Raila won the elections despite the electoral commission having declared Ruto the winner and his victory validated by the Supreme Court.
There are fears that the hardline positions taken by either side would derail the talks which will be spearheaded by former Nigerian President Olesegun Obasanjo.
Azimio has fired back at Kenya Kwanza claiming that they are the once suffering from anxiety because of insecurity fears.
''The obsession with sharing of government by a wing of Kenya Kwanza is simply borne out of a feeling of insecurity,'' said Wandayi.
Those in Ruto's administration are said to be against sharing of power for fear of being sacrificed to pave the way for Raila's loyalist in case a power sharing deal is inked.
Azimio side is cautious of inheriting the Kenya Kwanza baggage should they agree to join government.
Raila's big lose in the 2022 polls was largely blamed on the Jubilee baggage inherited during his handshake deal with Uhuru.
Political analysts Wills Kariambu says both sides are jittery of the far reaching consequences of a handsake or nusu mkate government.
''Both ways, it would be a Waterloo for either Kenya Kwanza or Azimio. The former prime minister lost in 2022 because of the massive baggage the Uhuru administration handed over to him. I don't think he can repeat that mistake,'' he argued.
Past power sharing deals have always consumed insiders and also eroded credentials of the opposition, significantly shifting political dynamics.