𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆,  𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

The National Assembly on Thursday adopted the report of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) which was tabled in the House on 7th December 2023 by Leader of the Majority Party and NADCO Co-Chairperson, Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah (Kikuyu).

The report and recommendations of the 10-member Committee which was established to facilitate a dialogue and consensus building, recommend appropriate constitutional, legal and policy reforms on issues of concern to the people of Kenya focused on five key areas.

The first key area was under the electoral justice and related matters, the Committee looked into the restructuring and reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), boundaries delamination and audit of the 2022 presidential elections. For this, it recommended the reconstitution of the IEBC selection panel comprising nine members.

On the same, it also recommended the intervals within which the review of boundaries may be done with the resolution of Parliament, that there be an investigation of the claims of marginalization by the relevant bodies and made provision for fast-tracking enactment of a legislative framework for review of the county boundaries as provided for under Article 188 of the Constitution.

On the issue of audit of the 2022 Presidential Elections, the Committee recommended the appointment of a panel of experts who would evaluate the 2022 electoral process and a mechanism for evaluating future elections.

The second issue dealt with by the Committee was the outstanding Constitutional matters where they tackled 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.

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.

On the fourth issue of entrenching funds into the Constitution, the Committee looked into the National Government Constituency Fund, the National Government Affirmative Action Fund and the Senate Oversight Fund.

Finally, on Establishment and Entrenchment of State Offices, the issue of the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition and Office of the Prime Minister. 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.