National Dialogue Committee agrees to include cost of living in Azimio, Kenya Kwanza talks

Speculation was rife that the 10-member committee comprising Kenya Kwanza and Azimio coalition associates had failed to agree on the inclusion of the cost of living in their engagement during the submission process.

The 5-day retreat for the National Dialogue Committee to write a final report on the outcomes of the bipartisan talks, commenced Monday in Elementaita, Nakuru with six members of the committee resuming the discussions. 

The Kimani Ichungwa and Kalonzo Musyoka-led team finally agreed to adopt a proposal by the Azimio Coalition members to include the agenda on the cost of living in its list of thematic areas,.. the committee had initially failed to agree upon this issue during the submissions stage, ..it will now be a priority for the committee.

“We are tackling the issue on the cost of living……We have resolved beginning early next week, this issue on the cost of living cannot be agreed upon in one sitting,” said Ichung’wa.

“It is in the framework agreement we adopted when we first began, we may want to recall expert opinions. During the stakeholders consultation we said they should improve on that and come back,” added Kalonzo.

The Committee members who are writing a report on its findings, for the next five days, after engaging different stakeholders in submitting their views, say the new developments will not interfere with the report writing process.

“We got the Senate approval. We have till 27th November. We will ensure we wind up on this before the 27th November,” said Ichung’wah.

“We know Kenyans across the political divide are feeling the heat on the gharama ya maisha. We are dealing with the hardcore issues. We will not shy from it and we will do the best we can,” said Kalonzo.

But the committee says it is concerned about the budget available to continue its engagement. The Azimio team says its mission to de-whip Sabina Chege as the deputy minority whip is still on course.

“I was reminding the speaker of his duty based on the court order to make the proper communication that was the content of the letter. Delayed communication on the changes is of concern that it might form part of the agenda when the house resumes tomorrow,” says Opiyo Wandayi, the deputy co-chair, the National Dialogue Committee.

The committee has also agreed upon the issues raised on the reconstitution of the IEBC Selection Panel, the creation of an office for the Prime Cabinet Secretary and that of the Opposition leader as well as issues on two-thirds gender rule.

Kenyans now await to see if the report will capture the aspirations presented by various groups, whether that will be beneficial to them and how it will shape the country’s political landscape moving forward.