Looming Storm as Azimio Leaders Reject Bi-Partisan Report

A fresh row has rocked the Ruto-Raila Bi partisan talks following the release of the final report presented by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) on Saturday, November 24.

This is after a section of the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition expressed their disapproval of the report submitted by NADCO.

Taking to her official X account, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua disagreed with the report terming it a fraud.

“Any purported agreement that does not immediately impact on cost of living, electoral justice and respect for multiparty democracy is a fraud on the people and must be rejected,” she said.

Additionally, former Cabinet Secretary and DAP-Kenya party leader Eugene Wamalwa also claimed that he hadn’t and would not append his signature to the report.

Notably, both leaders have strongly rejected the report claiming that it has not addressed ‘important issues affecting Kenyans’, with the cost of living being the main issue of concern.

Speaking at Tingolo Catholic Church in Busia County, Wamalwa added, “I will not accept any sitting allowance for the same because l believe we did not do justice to the single most important issue to Kenyans, the cost of living.”

President Ruto Lauds the Talks

In Contrast, President Ruto on his part welcomed the recommendations compiled in the report and promised to implement them.

The President was speaking during a Church Service at Priesthood Fellowship in Kahawa West, Roysambu Constituency, when he reflected on the report.

Also Read: Karua Speaks on Proposals Made by Bipartisan Committee

“Those people who were involved in the dialogue talks are now done with the work. We congratulate them for finishing the work, now let’s work together so that we can move forward,” said the Head of State.

Ruto went on to highlight some of the recommendations presented in the final NADCO report.

“Where they said we lessen the government’s travel spending by 30%, I suggest that they increase it to 50% for Kenya to move forward,” he said.

The head of state further affirmed that his government had already implemented one of the recommendations, proposing the reduction of government expenditure by 50%.

On the other hand, Azimio leader Raila Odinga said that he had received the report but was yet to go through it.

Division Within NADCO

Notably, this development comes after drama unfolded on the day the final report was presented by the NADCO Committee co-chaired by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and National Assembly majority leader Kimani Ichung’wa.

This came after both factions remained divided on the issue of high cost of living, which Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition listed as an irreducible minimum.

Also Read: ODM Declares Stance on IMF & World Bank Inclusion in Bipartisan Talks

Drama unfolded as the initial mid-day announcement of the report was pushed to 5pm, then presented at 8.20 p.m. This is after both parties couldn’t come to a common agreement on the issue.

Kenya Kwanza remained opposed to the proposal of reducing Value Added Tax on fuel from 16 per cent to 8 per cent and scrapping of the house levy while Azimio faction suggested otherwise.

Furthermore, the decision and way forward on the NADCO report lies in the hands of the Parliament, President William Ruto and Opposition leader Raila Odinga.

The talks began when Ruto agreed to facilitate a bipartisan approach to resolve grievances witnessed by anti-government mass protests back in April this year.