Kalonzo lauds CoG for 'eye opening' proposals to talks team

Azimio delegation leader in the ongoing bipartisan talks has commended the Council of Governors for what he termed as 'eye opening' submissions to the team sitting at the Bomas of Kenya.

In a statement Monday evening, Kalonzo said the team led by CoG chairperson Anne Waiguru made proposals which will make the talks better.

"It was eye-opening; contributions that I believe will improve the quality of the Bipartisan talks," Kalonzo said.

The CoG presented their proposals on the same day as former Attorney General Amos Wako, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua and the Trans Nzoia County Communities Council among others.

"When the public is not only informed about key governance developments but encouraged to actively contribute and participate; then legitimacy, mutual trust and commitment is built, bridging gaps between different stakeholders," Kalonzo said.

In a statement prior to appearing before the committee, Waiguru said they would propose that the current equitable share of revenue be pushed to 45 per cent of the national revenue.

She said they would also propose funding and periodic costing of national and county functions and the establishment of a borrowing framework by the counties and delimitation of boundaries for the counties. 

"With the continued need to deliver effective and efficient services to Kenyans, County Governments are committed to delivering on their mandate in a focused and coordinated manner," Waiguru said in a statement after chairing a full council meeting that saw governors also elect new chairs of the Executive and technical committees.

Members of the public and other stakeholders from different sectors have been appearing before the dialogued committee with varied proposals touching on various issues raised.

The talks led by Azimio and Kenya Kwanza coalitions started on August 31 under the co-chairmanship of Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah.

In an advert published on September 1, 2023, the bipartisan committee invited members of the public to submit their memoranda on 13 issues.

These include the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) which Azimio insisted must feature.

Others are the Cost of Living and related issues, implementation of the two-thirds gender rule, and governance issues, including promoting national unity and inclusivity in public appointments and adequate checks and balances.

The public was also invited to give views on the audit of the 2022 presidential election, the National Government Constituencies Development Fund, the National Government Affirmative Action Fund and the Senate Oversight Fund.

Three Kenyans have, however, moved to court seeking to have the talks stopped on grounds that the dialogue team is unconstitutional.

Issa Elanyi Chamao, Patrick Karani Ekirapa and Paul Ngweywo Kirui have also argued in their suit filed under a certificate of urgency that the team is using "significant public funds for a process not supported by the Constitution, legislation or the Standing Orders of Parliament”.

Reports indicate that the Bomas talks will cost about Sh106 million.