The Speaker of the National Assembly Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula has urged the leadership of the Majority and Minority parties in the House to formalize the recognition of the bipartisan talks committee in accordance with the Standing Orders of both Houses.

In his Communication to the House on Wednesday, Speaker Wetang’ula stated that he and his Senate counterpart Rt. Hon. Amason Kingi are committed to facilitating the work of the Committee as it undertakes this significant task.

The Committee is co-chaired by Hon. George Murugara (Tharaka) from the Majority Party and Hon. (Dr.) Otiende Amollo (Rarieda) from the Minority Party.

Speaker Wetang’ula said, “Upon the joint resolution by the Houses, we shall authorize the respective Clerks of the Houses to provide the Committee with a secretariat and any necessary logistical support, similar to every other Committee of Parliament, to ensure the effective discharge of its mandate.”

He further added, “We are aware that there is an ongoing debate regarding whether the Committee should also consider conducting bipartisan engagements outside of Parliamentary processes. This is a matter that the Committee may explore and seek ways to incorporate into the joint resolution of the Houses.”

In the spirit of bipartisanship, the Speaker encouraged the Committee Members to prioritize the interests of the Nation above any other considerations when addressing the presented matters. 

He acknowledged the dedication of the co-chairs and their respective teams in fulfilling the task entrusted to them.

Making his contribution, the Leader of the Majority Party, Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah (Kikuyu), supported the need for the bipartisan Committee to be approved by the House and granted the formal mandate, enabling them to commence their work seriously. 

According to Hon. Ichung’wah, there is a widespread view among many people in the country that the bipartisan talks should be concluded.

In his remarks, the Leader of the Minority Party, Hon. Opiyo Wandayi, acknowledged the delicate nature of bipartisan talks and emphasized the need for careful handling of the matter. 

He highlighted the differing viewpoints regarding whether a Motion is required for the Committee to be operational and called for bridging the gap between these perspectives.

However, Hon. Wandayi expressed concern about the prolonged duration of the talks, noting that Kenyans have grown fatigued and many have lost interest. He emphasized the importance of acting swiftly and in good faith.