Senate approves establishment of 10-member National Dialogue Committee

The National Dialogue Committee (NDC) is set to sign it's framework agreement on Wednesday after the Senate approved the establishment of the 10-member team and another 8-member technical team to support it.

The NDC, which includes leaders from both Kenya Kwanza alliance and Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party, has 60 days to hold talks and submit a report to Parliament.

The announcement was made by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi during a special sitting which legally embedded the engagements of the NDC and the technical team into law.

“That the two Houses of Parliament establish a National Dialogue Committee consisting of 10 members to represent Kenya Kwanza Alliance, a coalition constituting the Majority Party of the Parliament of the Republic of Kenya, and Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition Party, a coalition forming the Minority Party of the Parliament of the Republic of Kenya,” stated Speaker Kingi.

Senate also directed that membership of the committee be drawn from within and outside Parliament.

The committee has also been allowed to pick two extra officers to act as communication secretaries, and are to be appointed by Majority and Minority leaders.

The committee is free to engage members of the public, stakeholders, professionals, and experts and collect their views as well as determine its procedure.

In the talks, Kenya Kwanza will be represented by National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Governor Cecily Mbarire, Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, Hassan Omar Hassan, and Catherine Wambilianga.

Azimio, on the other hand, will be represented by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, Amina Mnyazi, Eugene Wamalwa, and Senator Okong’o Mogeni.

Dr. Muthomi Thiankolu, Dr. Linda Musumba, Dr. Duncan Ojwang, and Nick Biketi will form Kenya Kwanza’s technical team while Azimio’s team will consist of Jeremiah Kioni, Prof. Adams Oloo, Abubakar Zein Abubakar and Lynn Ngugi.