Raila wants NADCO report implemented without any changes

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga leader has insisted that the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report be implemented as is without any alterations.

Mr. Odinga, addressing the press after he recived the report from the NADCO on Friday, termed the negotiated document as a good start in the quest to improve the governance landscape in Kenya.

“As we have said before, this document is not perfect. But it is a good start. If fully implemented, it offers an opportunity for peace and reforms that could put this country on a path of prolonged stability and equity in the years ahead,” he stated.

“The issues contained in this document are not Azimio or Kenya Kwanza issues, these are Kenyan issues. They are our aspirations as the people of Kenya. Those issues should unite, not divide us. Our position is that the report, including the various legislative proposals attendant to it, should be implemented without any alterations.”

The former Prime Minister warned that there are "enemies" within and outside the government who are keen to undermine the implementation of the document.

 “As was the case with the process, this document has enemies from reactionary forces across the political divide, inside and outside Parliament. It requires vigilance. We need to look back and reflect on the circumstances that led to the dialogue and whether we really want to take Kenya back there,” he noted.

“We believe that these are significant reform mileages that, if implemented, can help strengthen our governance and electoral processes and safeguard our continuing quest to make Kenya a functioning democracy.”

The Azimio chief at the same time pointed out that issues such as the cost of living, which the two parties disagreed on, will be left to the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration to address, as he urged Parliament to fast-track implementation of the agreed issues.

"There are things we agreed to disagree on, and that includes the issue of the cost of living which is of much importance to us. The government side demanded that we leave that matter to them and we agreed for the purpose of helping the country move forward," Mr. Odinga explained.

"We got positive results on a number of areas including electoral Justice, the transfer of all devolved functions and the requisite resources to the county governments, raising equitable share to the county governments to not less than 20% of all revenue collected by the national government from the current 15%, among others."

He added: "I, therefore, urge the Parliamentary leadership of the two coalitions to demonstrate patriotism, provide real leadership and steer the next critical steps in this process to a required and speedy conclusion."

NADCO co-chairs Kalonzo Musyoka and Kimani Ichung'wah expressed optimism that the document will make the country move forward.

The handing over of the report to Mr. Odinga was attended by committee members and the technical team.

The NADCO team later on handed over the same document to President William Ruto at State House.