Uncertainty has rocked the ongoing talks between the government and opposition as President William Ruto’s troops continue to send mixed signals about the dialogue.
Ruto’s men are increasingly asking him to abandon the talks —triggered by widespread and chaotic opposition protests — and instead focus on development.
This comes even as the 10-member National Dialogue Committee meets for the third time on Monday since its establishment to crack the agenda and unlock the talks.
The team led by Azimio’s Kalonzo Musyoka and Kenya Kwanza’s Kimani Ichung’wah is expected to receive agenda items from their technical team.
“The meeting is on,” Nyamira senator Okongó Mogeni, a member of the committee, confirmed to the Star on Sunday.
National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi said the meeting would start at 10 am at the Bomas of Kenya but he could not disclose whether they had agreed on the agenda or not.
The agenda has emerged as one of the thorny issues for the team whose camps have bitterly clashed on what should form part of the negotiations.
Last week, MPs unanimously endorsed a joint motion by Ichung’wah and Wandayi, creating the committee and its secretariat in an apparent move to insulate the panel from any legal challenges that may come on its way.
“We want to entrench constitutionalism and the rule of law in our country. So that after every election, whoever wins an election is allowed to govern and govern in peace,” Ichung’wah said during the debate.
But even as the team gets legal backing and intensifies its activities, President Ruto appears to be under pressure from his inner circle to pull out from the negotiations.
The President’s confidants, led by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have publicly asked him to leave the talks and focus on delivering on his mandate, instead.
“Your Excellency, yesterday I called Senator Aaron Cheruiyot four times but he did not answer my call. Later he told me that he was in the dialogue meeting,” Gachagua said last week.
“That dialogue you are bragging about will end. Important dialogue is about fertiliser, talks about farming,” he said, clearly downplaying the talks.
Earlier, Gachagua had said that he and the President have no time for talks with the opposition.
“President Ruto and I have no time for talks. Let’s meet in the 2027 polls. Elections ended last year and we no time for talks,” he said.
Speaking at an interdenominational service in Kisii on Sunday, President Ruto kept off the talks debate.
But in what appeared like taking a cue from his troops, Ruto asked the opposition to wait for 2027.
“Election happens every five years, the people who decide are the Kenyans. They will decide. Let’s not incite them or cause violence. Let’s unite them and continue with development,” Ruto said.
The President persuaded the opposition against using violent protests to actualise their political interests.
“What I’m asking all leaders, please let’s not use Kenyan children to fight, cause chaos, destroy property because of protests. No. that is not right. Everything has its limit,” he said.
On Sunday, Parliamentary Service Commissioner Johnson Muthama asked the President to take charge of his administration, adding there is no time for talks with the opposition.
“Dear President William Ruto take charge of your administration and work for Kenyans. There is no need for the talks with the Azimio leadership,” Muthama said.
He said those who want to engage in the talks should simply wait for the next general elections where they can vie to be voted into leadership positions.
“Those who want to engage in talks, should wait for another election and go to the electorates,” Muthama said.
Early this month, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro also persuaded the president to ditch the talk and instead focus on building the nation.
“Even that dialogue, I’m asking you President to leave it. I have listened to Kenyans who are our bosses and please leave that dialogue and continue working as Kenya moves forward," he said.
Senate speaker Amason Kingi had also a fortnight ago asked the President to abandon the talks and they would not yield any fruits.
“Your Excellency, I don't want to be a prophet of doom, I've never been but I've been in this space long enough to observe something. Nothing will come out of this called talks,” he said at Sagana State Lodge in Nyeri.