Eugene Wamalwa, A Member Of the Dialogue Committee, Rejects Final Report
National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) member and Democratic Action Party Kenya (DAP-K) leader, Eugene Wamalwa has voiced his dissent over the committee’s report, insisting on the alleged omission of crucial cost of living concerns.
While addressing a congregation in Tingolo Catholic Church in Busia County on Sunday, the former Defence Cabinet Secretary pledged to abstain from signing the report and rejected any sitting allowance associated with it.
“I didn’t and will not append my signature to the NADCO report and have not and will not accept any sitting allowance for the same because I believe we did not do justice to the single most important issue to Kenyans; the cost of living,” he said.
Wamalwa is not the only Azimio principal who has expressed concerns about the NADCO report. Martha Karua has also been seen to question the report, vowing to reject it if it neglects issues like the cost of living, electoral justice, and respect for multiparty democracy.
“Any purported agreement that does not immediately impact on the cost of living, electoral justice, and respect for multiparty democracy is a fraud on the people and must be rejected,” Karua posted on X on Sunday.
Karua’s reservations came on the heels of warnings of potential street protests from the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) party leader if the report fails to meet expectations.
President William Ruto, in contrast, embraced recommendations from both coalitions during an address in Kahawa West.
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He particularly endorsed the 50% reduction in government spending proposed by the dialogue committee, advocating for responsible leadership to propel Kenya forward.
“They have given recommendations all those recommendations are okay. Where they said we lessen Government spending by 50%, I have done that already. For those calling for lessening to be done by 30%, I suggest that they increase it to 50% for Kenya to move forward. We must learn to live within our means,” he added.
The committee, chaired by Kalonzo Musyoka and Kimani Ichungw’ah, presented its report on Saturday, November 25, outlining various recommendations.
Notably, they proposed a reduction in road maintenance and anti-adulteration levies.
“NADCO recommends that the National Government finalizes the transfer of all devolved functions and provides for the concomitant resources to the county governments,” read the committee’s statement.
However, issues such as the VAT reduction on fuel and the removal of the housing levy remain contentious.
Eugene Wamalwa, A Member Of the Dialogue Committee, Rejects Final Report