Ruto 'yields' to Raila's demand for expanded talks

By Peter Ochieng

President William Ruto has seemingly caught Azimio leader Raila Odinga flat-footed.

The Head of State has agreed to have bipartisan talks between his administration and opposition expanded to include experts outside Parliamant.

Odinga has been demanding for expansion of the talks, with some of President Ruto's allies maintaining that the talks will only happen in Parliament, spearheaded by 7 member teams from both sides of the political divide.

Experts may after all give their views on selection process of new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson and commissioners.

A draft motion by National Assembly Majority Leader Anthony Kimani Ichung'wah, indicates that Ruto gave the green light for the establishment of a joint house committee for dialogue.

The committee will have technical experts co-opted by either team, as well as Parliament itself in a bid to enrich deliberations.

"The joint select committee and each coalition may engage experts, professionals and such other technical resource persons as they may deem necessary,'' reads the motion in part.

It will be co-chaired by leaders from Azimio and Kenya Kwanza.

''The proceedings of the joint committee shall be governed by the Standing Orders. The Clerks of both Houses of Parliament shall provide secretarial services in accordance with the Standing Orders," adds the motion.

Odinga had insisted that the talks be expanded to include experts, or else they call for another round of demos.