NCCK wants public participation on NADCO report before its implementation » Capital News
NAIROBI, Kenya Apr 9 – The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) want the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report to be subjected to public participation before it is implemented.
Speaking during a press conference Tuesday, the organisation’s General Secretary Canon Chris Kinyanjui says this will ensure its success.
“It is a major concern for Kenyans that the National Assembly is seeking to effect the recommendations of the Committee, especially a massive review of the Constitution, without recourse to the people of Kenya,” he said.
The council argued that the Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill 2023 drafted as part of the NADCO report is seeking to amend some sections of the constitution, a decision that should onboard public views and opinions before being implemented.
“The people of Kenya have a basic right to know and agree with the recommendations made by the NADCO! It is our firm position that any debate about amending the Constitution in Parliament must be preceded by robust discourse by the citizens,” Kinyanjui stated.
It pointed fingers at the National Assembly for its unilateral decision of implementing recommendations agreed on the report that calls for major constitutional reforms urging the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee to hold sittings at County level to gather public views.
“Having considered the governance and electoral reforms outlined in the Bills arising from the NADCO Report, we are of the considered opinion that some leaders are working towards subverting the will of the people,” he added.
On March 29 2024 the High Court gave orders suspending the implementation of the report after a petition was filed challenging parliament’s decision.
The report was derived from the bi-partisan peace talks between Kenya Kwanza Administration and the Azimio Opposition coalition where both parties agreed on key recommendations that should be implemented.
It introduced nine Bills that seek to amend the 2010 Constitution if adopted.
Among those bills include the Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill, 2023, targeted to change the structure of government.
Others are the IEBC Amendment Bill 2023 and the constitution of the office of the leader of official opposition
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