• The National Assembly adopted the report on February 24, 2024, and Azimio said nine bills have already been introduced in the House to facilitate its implementation.
• They said their position remains that the Nadco report must be implemented as is and the bills aimed at facilitating its passage fast-tracked.
Image: COLLINS APUDO
Azimio now claims there are forces within and outside Parliament that are hell-bent on derailing the National Dialogue Committee report.
The National Assembly adopted the report on February 24, 2024, and Azimio on Tuesday said nine bills have already been introduced in the House to facilitate its implementation.
But in a statement by the coalition’s top decision-making organ, Azimio Summit, the group alleged that “forces in Kenya Kwanza, in and outside Parliament, are determined to undermine the report”.
“We notify those forces that should any efforts to undermine or tamper with the report succeed, there will be a very heavy price to pay,” the team said.
The meeting led by Raila Odinga was held at the Kalonzo Musyoka Command Centre in Karen, Nairobi.
Present were former Muranga Governor Mwangi wa Iria, former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Wiper party leader Kalonzo Msyoka, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, PNU chairman Peter Munya, Roots party leader George Wajackoyah and Minority Chief whip Opiyo Wandayi.
They said their position remains that the Nadco report must be implemented as is and the bills aimed at facilitating its passage fast-tracked.
They called on President William Ruto to rein in his troops in both Houses of “and a number of members of the National Executive” who they alleged are hell-bent on derailing the report.
“Those leaders have clearly demonstrated a determination to delay, derail or even kill the NADCO report, which is a negotiated document that pulled the country out of hostilities to the peace that obtains today,” Azimio said.
“Nobody should take the present situation as a given or for granted.”
The NADCO report, which was a product of bipartisan consensus and wide public participation, made a myriad of proposals touching on legal and policy reforms and issues of concern to the people of Kenya.
The report made recommendations in five key areas including restructuring and reconstituting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and audit of the 2022 presidential elections.
It also recommended the reconstitution of the IEBC selection panel comprising nine members and the intervals within which the review of boundaries may be done.
The report made recommendations on how to tackle the cost of living and related issues and the implementation of the two-thirds gender rule.
For purposes of promoting national unity, the report also said there must be inclusivity in public appointments and adequate balances.
The fourth issue was on the entrenchment of the National Government Constituency Fund, the National Government Affirmative Action Fund and the Senate Oversight Fund into the Constitution.
Among the most contentious issues but which was agreed upon by either side of the bipartisan teams was the creation and entrenchment of the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition in the Constitution in recognition of the value and legitimacy of opposition parties.
The report requires that the party with the second highest votes in preceding elections or the party or coalition with the highest representation in Parliament occupies the office. The occupant will have two deputies.
Additionally, the NADCO report recommended the establishment and entrenchment of the Office of the Prime Minister in the Constitution as a means of coordinating functions of the Executive arm of Government.