A bi-partisan team of 10 members has been given 60 days to come up with a solution to the political impasse that has gripped Kenya since the 2022 presidential election.
The team, which consists of five representatives from each side of the divide, is expected to report to President William Ruto and Opposition leader Raila Odinga, who have been locked in a bitter dispute over the election results.
The team was formed after a motion was tabled in Parliament by Majority Leader Aden Duale and Minority Leader John Mbadi, who urged the House to support the initiative as a way of restoring peace and stability in the country.
The motion also called for the suspension of any legal or constitutional challenges to the election outcome until the team completes its work.
The team is mandated to consult widely with various stakeholders, including civil society, religious leaders, media, and international partners, and to propose a roadmap that will address the root causes of the conflict and prevent future recurrence.
The team is also expected to explore the possibility of dialogue and reconciliation between Ruto and Raila, who have accused each other of rigging and violence.
The formation of the team has been welcomed by many Kenyans who have been affected by the post-election crisis, which has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands of others.
However, some critics have expressed doubts about the credibility and impartiality of the team, as well as the willingness of the two leaders to accept its recommendations.
They have also questioned the legality and constitutionality of the team, arguing that it undermines the mandate of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the Supreme Court.
