President Ruto urges MPs to support NADCO recommendations

President William Ruto has urged Members of Parliament to rally behind the recommendations of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) when they are tabled in the two Houses.

He appealed to the legislators to set aside their political differences and work together for the sake of the country’s peace and national unity.

He emphasised that the committee's recommendations transcend the political divide.

“I want to persuade Members of Parliament, from both sides of the House, to work towards doing what is best for Kenya,” he said.

The President said the government is keen on nurturing an environment of cooperation where every individual can actively participate in nation building.

The goal, he explained, is to ensure no citizen or community is left behind.

“We will continue to do our best as a country to forge unity and peace so that we can progress the country together," he said.

He made the remarks on Friday when he received the report of the National Dialogue Committee at State House Nairobi.

The National Dialogue Committee, comprising ten members from the Kenya Kwanza alliance and the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party, aims to draft a framework agreement to guide bipartisan discussions on issues affecting Kenyans.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula, former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah were present.

On his part, President Ruto committed to support the actualisation of the committee’s recommendations.

The Head of State commended the committee for finding a way of making the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG CDF), Senate Oversight Fund and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) constitutional.

He also praised the committee for devising a roadmap for achieving the realisation of the two-thirds gender rule.

He urged all stakeholders to grab this opportunity and make sure the two-thirds gender rule is passed and becomes part of the Constitution.

“I am very confident that this time round, we will get it right and the women of Kenya will take their appropriate place of leadership in Kenya,” said the Head of State.

President Ruto said Parliament is "treading on thin ice" for failing to anchor a constitutional provision on the two-thirds gender rule.

DP Gachagua said the committee’s report will bring peace and tranquillity in the country. He noted that the report will ensure that going forward, Kenyans do not settle political differences in the streets and through violence.

“I think this is the way to go. Kenya is bigger than all of us,” he added.

Musyoka warned against detractors hell-bent on undermining the committee’s progress. He asked the President not to allow such individuals to derail the country’s unity.

“We want to ask you (President Ruto) to use the authority given to you by law to push this report to its respective conclusion,” he said.