National Dialogue Committee Prepares To Finalise Bomas Talks, Retreat To Write Report
On Friday, the National Dialogue Committee will convene to conclude its Bomas session before writing a report.
The most important item on its agenda is a recommendation regarding the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s reconstitution.
The committee has 26 days until its scheduled lifeline expires.
The National Dialogue Committee will shortly retreat to analyze their 256 submissions and harmonize their proposals by the five issues on their agenda.
The committee has the option to request an extension of the agreed-upon 60-day period, but with only 23 days remaining, the clock is running out too quickly.
In less than a fortnight, the technical teams and the secretariat will be reviewing the submissions, both oral and physical before the committee can retreat to compose its report which will take up 10 days.
While the majority of sessions have appeared to be cordial, the final day was marked by moments of outbursts as members of opposing factions engaged in a clash of ideas, indicative of the simmering disagreements over some emotionally charged issues.
According to committee sources, a consensus has been reached on the issue of the IEBC’s reconstitution, with each group approving swift action.
However, the elephant in the room is whether or not the commission should be comprised solely of professionals or also of political representatives, as some have argued that electioneering is a political process.
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“I used to be of the idea that a political IEBC is good for the country but after analyzing the previous 7 elections where every election cycle we have changed the commissioners, I realized a bend may be the best, but there needs to be a clear line on what happened if the commission is divided,” ELGIA executive director Felix Odhiambo said.
Several agencies and institutions that testified before the committee, such as the Kenya National Human Rights Commissions, reminded the committee that the electoral process was not merely a matter of concern to politicians, but to all Kenyans.
“It’s about us as Kenyans, it’s about our development as a people, society and it’s about democracy, freedoms. It’s about Kenyans exercising their rights, it’s not just about politicians. This is a developmental issue, and we must rise… it’s not just politicians on the table. We donate power to you so it all starts with us the people,” KNHCR Chairperson Roseline Odede stated.
Among the proposals concerning electoral justice that were presented to the committee were the composition of the commission, whether the results of the 2022 presidential election should be audited or whether the audit should focus on the processes and content of the 2022 results, and the need to define the roles of the commissioners and secretariat to minimize conflict.
The second issue was the pressing need to expedite the boundary delimitation process.
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On the list of unresolved constitutional issues, the cost of living tops the list, with calls for a review of the taxation measures implemented by the Kenya Kwanza government, for the new statutory deductions to be phased in, and for political goodwill to be reined in to facilitate the implementation of the two-thirds gender rule.
Diverse opinions existed regarding the necessity of enshrining the NGCDF, NGAAF, and Senate Oversight Funds, but many supported the initiative to establish a ward development fund to assist MCAs in fulfilling their campaign promises.
The proposals to legally establish the office of the leader of the official opposition and the position of the principal cabinet secretary received overwhelming support.
On the issue of fidelity to political parties, where Azimio has accused Kenya Kwanza of encroaching on their affiliate parties and staging a coup against the former ruling jubilee party, many desired a review of electoral laws to ensure that those deemed to have crossed the floor are expelled so that political parties can continue to thrive for generations to come.
This Friday, the committee will declare the next steps.
National Dialogue Committee Prepares To Finalise Bomas Talks, Retreat To Write Report
