Rédaction Africa Links 24 with IRENE MWANGI
Published on 2024-04-01 10:01:34
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 1 – National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has criticized Former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa for questioning the implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report based on lack of goodwill.
In what seemed like a direct jab, Ichung’wah mocked the DAP-K Party leader for his lack of consistency in the NADCO implementation discussion, as he refused to sign the final report by the dialogue committee.
“The report will be implemented as we passed it in Parliament. Someone like Wamalwa who refused to sign, saying there’s no goodwill in NADCO implementation,” he stated.
“We have the goodwill to pass the NADCO report. We have published all the bills encompassing the report. So, Kalonzo shouldn’t worry that the report will not be passed.”
The NADCO report received endorsements from Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka (Azimio) and Ichung’wah (Kenya Kwanza Coalition) on behalf of the two coalitions.
The Kikuyu Lawmaker defended the Kenya Kwanza Administration for addressing the high cost of living, a contentious issue that the two opposing sides in the NADCO team failed to agree upon.
He stated that President William Ruto’s administration has demonstrated commitment to addressing the high cost of living by reducing prices of essential household commodities.
“Wamalwa refused to sign the report, claiming the high cost of living had not been adequately addressed. President Ruto and CS Linturi have provided us subsidized fertilizer, and now the prices of flour range between Sh103 to Sh120, down from Sh210,” Ichung’wah said.
The Majority Leader emphasized that legal challenges that may hinder the NADCO implementation should not be attributed to a lack of goodwill by the ruling coalition.
“If the court halts the implementation of any section of the NADCO report, that has nothing to do with the Kenya Kwanza government,” he said. “We respect the independence of the judiciary, and we will address all challenges raised by the court through the appropriate legal channels.”
MPs are under pressure to deliberate on nine bills aimed at solidifying the recommendations of the NADCO into law before a deadline.
The National Assembly will review several legislative proposals, including amendments to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Leader of Opposition, and National Government Coordination.
The Senate will focus on bills related to Elections Offences, Elections, Statutory Instruments, and Political Parties.
Committees from both houses have been directed to hold joint sittings to review the proposed legislation.
Key recommendations in the report include restructuring the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and expanding the selection panel.
The report also suggests evaluating the 2022 electoral process and establishing the office of Leader of the Opposition.
Other recommendations involve the establishment of state offices, adherence to multi-party democracy laws, electoral justice, and the inclusion of funds overseen by MPs in the constitution.
Overall, the implementation of the NADCO report is a crucial step towards enhancing governance and democratic processes in Kenya.
Read the original article on Africa News 24
