Kimani Ichung'wah Arrives Late For Bipartisan Talks, Cites Bad Weather In Nyeri

• The William Ruto - Raila Odinga talks are aimed at discussing five key issues, including the economy, security, corruption, and electoral reforms
• Governor Cecily Mbarire said Kimani Ichung'wah delayed in arriving at the talks due to bad weather in Nyeri
• Kenya Kwanza team insisted that there would be no discussion on a handshake with the Opposition coalition

Nairobi - Kenya Kwanza Alliance and Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party teams arrived a the Bomas of Kenya for the bipartisan talks.

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire said National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah would arrive late because he encountered bad weather in Nyeri.

"I am here to represent our team leader Kimani Ichung'wah who unfortunately got held up in Nyeri and due to the bad weather he did not get to fly in good time but is now airborne. We expect that he will be shortly," Mbarire informed the Kenya Kwanza-Azimio team talks.

When President William Ruto unveiled his five-member team for the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party talks, he appointed Ichung'wah as the team leader.

The Kenya Kwanza Alliance team also comprised Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and Governor Cecily Mbarire.

Others are East African Legislative Assembly Member (EALA) Hassan Omar and Bungoma woman representative Catherine Wambilianga.

In the statement, the government side insisted that there would be no discussion on a handshake with the Opposition coalition.

"As agreed, there shall be no discussion of whatever nature on matters handshake or nusu mkate," reads the statement.

The Kenya Kwanza reiterated that their team would only engage the Azimio counterparts on five issues.

Kimani Ichung'wah writes to Azimio la Umoja

Ruto's side replied to Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party's call for their first dialogue meeting on Monday, August 7.

In a statement on Friday, August 4, Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah said the ruling alliance were not okay with the suggested date.

The lawmaker said they had planned to have their first meeting as the Kenya Kwanza delegation for a debrief to prepare for the talks.

He asked if the Wiper party leader-led Azimio team were willing to reschedule the meeting for Thursday, August 10.