Following a series of meetings between the two opposing camps, the National Dialogue Committee agreed to establish the office of Prime Cabinet Secretary and Opposition Leader.
The team, led by National Assembly leader Kimani Ichung’wah and his Azimio counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka, also agreed on other issues such as the two-thirds gender rule and political party fidelity.
The Office of the Opposition Leader has been a source of contention in the past, with President William Ruto stating that he is willing to create the position through parliament in order to strengthen the opposition’s oversight role.
The final issue is the establishment of funds for the Constituency Development Fund, National Government Affirmative Action Fund, and Senate Oversight Fund.
“Pleased with the tremendously positive strides the Dialogue Committee has made in our noble quest to make Kenya a better nation,” Senate Majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot, who is part of the Kenya Kwanza bipartisan team, said in a statement.
“The meeting with our Technical Teams has reported significant progress by providing an agreeable set of agenda from both teams.”
He stated that the committee had worked tirelessly to meet the 60-day deadlines set by Parliament. Members of Parliament directed the bipartisan team to report to President William Ruto and Opposition Leader Raila Odinga within 60 days on August 16, 2023.
However, the committee could not reach an agreement on several issues, including the cost of living, the restructuring and reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the audit of the 2022 elections, and inclusivity in public appointments, among others.
The Committee has been holding public hearings with select stakeholders to discuss contentious issues between the two camps, such as the IEBC selection panel agenda and the audit of the 2022 General Election.
Former IEBC commissioners, the IEBC selection panel, and the working group on the two-thirds gender rule are among those included.
Following the discussions, the team will submit a comprehensive report by the end of October.
