National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has told Azimio-One Kenya Coalition leaders to shun from dictating parliament on how to handle the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report.
Speaking during a meeting with the Amnesty International (Kenya), Wetangula explained that the report will be subjected to a debate by Members of Parliament.
Besides, the speaker pointed out that amendments would be allowed during the debating process.
“No Member will be stopped from bringing any amendment to the report,” he said.
Wetang’ula further said the report that is before the House will be subjected to public participation as required by the law.
In a separate forum, Wetangula said the adoption of the report underscores the importance of public participation in formulation of public policy.
Wetangula Commits NADCO Report to House Committees
Parliament has 45 days to reject or approve nine bills meant to pass the report.
On March 6, Wetang’ula committed the NADCO report to the Justice and Legal Affairs of the two houses which will actualize it.
Among the legislative proposals that will be considered by the National Assembly include the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Leader of Opposition Bill, 2024, and the National Government Coordination (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
The Senate will introduce and consider the Elections Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Statutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
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Wetang’ula further said that he had met with his counterpart from the Senate Amason Kingi, to deliberate on ways to address the report recommendations.
The 10-member Committee which was established to facilitate a dialogue between former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and President William Ruto.
The report was unveiled last year following lengthy deliberations of the bipartisan team led by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa for Kenya Kwanza and Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka for Azimio.
Report Recommendations
NADCO report recommended appropriate constitutional, legal and policy reforms on issues of concern to the people of Kenya focused on five key areas.
The Committee looked into the restructuring and reconstitution of the IEBC, boundaries delamination and audit of the 2022 presidential elections.
For this, it recommended the reconstitution of the IEBC selection panel comprising nine members.
It also recommended the intervals within which the review of boundaries may be done with the resolution of Parliament.
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Besides, NADCO recommended the appointment of a panel of experts to evaluate the 2022 electoral process and a mechanism for evaluating future elections.
The Committee recommended the establishment 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 as part of the country’s political system.
In addition, it also recommended the establishment and entrenchment of an Office of the Prime Minister in the Constitution as a means of coordination of functions of the executive arm of government.
On the fidelity to political parties or coalitions and the law on multiparty democracy, NADCO delved into possible ways of preventing interference with political parties or coalitions.
Other issues tackled by the Committee include: the cost of living and related issues, implementation of the two-thirds gender rule, governance issues including promoting national unity and inclusivity in public appointments and adequate balances.
