President William Ruto on Monday morning met Kenya Kwanza parliamentary leaders to come up with a frame for the bipartisan parliamentary process he mooted on Sunday.
While extending an olive branch to Azimio leader Raila Odinga on Sunday, Ruto called for a bipartisan legislative process to tackle issues being raised by Azimio resulting in protests.
In a statement released by State House on Monday, the Head of State said he had prevailed upon the ruling party leaders to look into his proposal and find ways to tackle raised issues.
“We are convinced the issues shall be conclusively handled by Parliament in order to allow us focus on our economic transformation programme,” Ruto posted on Twitter after the meeting.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has recently been leading a brigade with a hardline stance against Ruto holding dialogue with Azimio’s Raila, was also present at the meeting.
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Kenya Kwanza leaders in the National Assembly who attended the meeting are Kimani Ichung’wah (Majority Leader), Owen Baya (Deputy Majority Leader), Sylvanus Osoro (Majority Whip) and Naomi Jillo (Deputy Majority Whip).
The ruling alliance’s Senate leaders were Aaron Cheruiyot (Senate Majority Leader), Tabitha Keroche (Senate Deputy Majority Leader) and Lelegwe Ltumbesi (Deputy Majority Whip).
In leading demos on Mondays and Thursdays, Raila demanded opening of the IEBC servers, revision of the IEBC Selection Panel composition and a reduction of the high cost of living.
In his address on Sunday, President Ruto expressed optimism that the Parliamentary process would pave way to
“I suggest a bi-partisan engagement in Parliament on the re-constitution of the IEBC panel within the parameters of the law and the constitution,” he said on Sunday.
He added then, “The IEBC selection Panel and the future process of recruitment of its Commissioners could as well be part of a conversation leading to Constitutionally and legally binding proposals, through a bi-partisan Parliamentary process.”