Key NADCO Recommendations Presented to Raila Odinga and William Ruto

The National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) has completed its report and delivered it to President William Ruto and Raila Odinga, the leader of Azimio.

The committee spearheaded by Kalonzo Musyoka of the Azimio Coalition and Kimani Ichung'wah of the Kenya Kwanza Coalition, has come to a consensus on various matters detailed in the report. However, they encountered a deadlock when it came to crucial matters concerning the alleviation of the cost of living. A primary bone of contention was the proposition put forth by the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party to decrease the VAT on fuel from 16% to 8% as a means to lighten the financial load on the populace.

President William Ruto and Raila Odinga have been tasked with reviewing these disputed issues. Furthermore, when the report was presented, the Majority Leader of the National Assembly acknowledged that the committee could not reach a decision regarding the removal of the housing levy.

Electoral Justice and Related Matters

NADCO has proposed conducting an evaluation of the electoral process conducted in 2022. To restructure and reconstitute the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), NADCO envisages extending the existing 7-selection committee to include 9 members. In addition, legal revisions that materialize within eighteen months prior to general elections would be enforced only during the subsequent electoral cycle, as proposed by NADCO.

Cost of Living

NADCO proposes cutting government travel expenses by half and decreasing the amount allocated for state officials per diem by 30% in response to the high living costs. Additionally, they suggest implementing a reduction in the road maintenance levy and the anti-adulteration levy on fuel by Sh5 and Sh3 respectively which could aid in the reduction of fuel prices.

Entrenching Funds Into the Constitution

In order to strengthen these measures, NADCO supports the integration of the NG-CDF, NGAAF, and Senate Oversight Fund into the constitution. Furthermore, NADCO suggests enacting legislation to establish the Ward Development Fund. Lastly, the committee recommends the formation of the Office of the Leader of the official opposition, along with two deputy positions, to be held by the leader of the largest party or coalition that obtained the second-highest number of votes in the preceding presidential elections.

Fidelity to Multiparty Democracy

To guarantee the effective operation of political parties, NADCO suggests establishing an independent body called the Independent Political Parties Regulatory Commission. This commission will be responsible for overseeing the registration of political parties and their leaders, as well as the administration of party finances. At present, these duties are carried out by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.