President William Ruto has responded to recommendations presented by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) on Saturday 25th November 2023 after the Bipartisan talks.
Ruto while addressing congregants at Priesthood Fellowship Church in Nairobi on 26th November noted his commitment to the recommendations presented.
In his address the President highlighted that he is in support of the 50% cut off travel allowance for government officials as well as the 30% reduction recommended for salaries of government officials.
Additionally, the head of state said he had already implemented the proposed 50% travel allowances reduction and is willing to increase the proposed 30% salary cut off to 50%.
“Mahali wamesema tupunguze gharama ya serikali na 50% iyo nimefanya tayari ile wanasema ipunguzwe by 30% mimi napendekeza iongezwe ikue 50% ndio tupunguze zaidi,” said Ruto.
This loosely translate to, ‘They said the government’s expenditure on travel be reduced by 50%, I have already done that and further propose an increase on salary to 50% from the initial 30% proposed by the committee.’
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Ruto Says the Recommendations are Do-able.
Likewise, the president while welcoming the recommendations lauded the Kalonzo Musyoka and Kimani Ichung’wah-led committee, stating that the report presented is good.
“Wametoa mapendekezo na hiyo mapendekezo yote wametoa ni sawa,” said Ruto.
This loosely translates to ‘the recommendations provided are good.’
President Ruto also echoed the importance of living within our means as Kenyans.
Further, the president noted that after going through the report, he concluded that the recommendations were indeed practical.
“I have seen the recommendations they are in good state, they are practical we are going to work on the recommendations to reduce on areas they have said,” noted Ruto.
Similarly, the president called on the members of parliament to take the remaining parts of the report and work on it.
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“Yale maneno mengine wempendekeza sasa wabunge muende mkalie hiyo,” said Ruto.
The remarks loosely translate to, “Members of Parliament should now go head and work on the rest of the recommendations presented.’
NADCO Recommendations
The National Dialogue Committee released its report on 25th November 2023.
The report which was signed by NADCO co-chairs Kalonzo Musyoka of the Azimio Coalition and Kimani Ichung’wah of the Kenya Kwanza Coalition stipulated a majority of measures that were agreed upon by the team as well as divergent opinions on some issues.
The recommendations include the proposal to reduce the cost of living, audit the 2022 electoral process, and restructure the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Ruto, Raila Team Differs
However, the NADCO team could not agree on some issues.
They failed to reach an agreement on the reduction of the fuel levy from 16% to 8% as well as the scrapping of the housing leavy in the finance act 2023.
After its unveiling, the report was shared electronically with President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga for their endorsement before being subjected to a referendum.
