National dialogue proposed by President Ruto to commence next week

The national dialogue proposed by President William Ruto last week will start on the 15th of July.

The President said the proposed National Multi-Sectoral Conference, aimed at addressing the issues raised in the recent protests, would be held for six days from Monday.

He said the conference will include 150 members, 50 of them youth, while 100 will come from religious institutions, civil society organisations, professional organisations and political parties, among other stakeholders.

President Ruto said participants in the conference will cover their expenses according to the government’s austerity policy.

Speaking at a press conference at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi, during the signing of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendment) Bill into law, the President asked various stakeholders to present their representatives by Friday.

“We have had consultations and agreed that, in order to bring the country together to focus on priority issues, we will continue the dialogue of several sectors,” he said.

President Ruto invited political parties and all other stakeholders to work with the government in designing a new way for the country.

“As a way of charting the future from the current situation, I invite all leaders and other stakeholders to work together to address the current economic situation through a broad political plan and push the country forward,” he said.

The President said he is confident that Kenyans and their leaders will unite together for the benefit of the country.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who is also the leader of the opposition, said the leaders have agreed that dialogue is the way out of the current state of the country.

“We have agreed to give citizens the opportunity to be heard and explain the problems that are bothering our country so that permanent solutions can be found,” he said.

Other leaders who attended were Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Speakers Moses Wetangula (National Assembly) and Amason Kingi

(Senate), Attorney General Justin Muturi, Majority Leaders Kimani Ichung’wah (National Assembly ) and Aaron Cheruiyot (Senate), Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and ODM deputy leaders Wycliffe Oparanya and Hassan Joho.

Earlier, during the approval of the IEBC (Amendment) Bill paving the way for the reorganisation of the electoral commission, the President said the bill was one of the recommendations of the National Negotiating Committee (NADCO) report.

He pointed out that NADCO is a manifestation of the country’s ability to navigate difficult, complex and sometimes divisive issues that undermine the balance, stability and security of Kenya.

The President said the revised law will facilitate the establishment of a selection panel to appoint IEBC commissioners.

“The IEBC remains the bedrock of our democracy, responsible for overseeing periodic elections at various levels and generally ensuring that our electoral cycle is transparently administered and administered in an impartial, neutral, efficient, accurate and fair manner. responsibility,” he said.

The President said that professionalism and integrity will guide the new team that will be expanded to include accounting and information technology experts.

He called on the leadership of the Parliament, both the majority and the minority parties, to speed up the implementation of the remaining recommendations of the NADCO report.

Gachagua called on Kenyans to stop violence and give space for dialogue, noting that violence begets violence.

Regarding the economy, President Ruto said the government remains steadfast in ensuring that the economy continues to grow despite past and present crises.

He said the Government has tried its best to find internal and external resources to increase the speed of economic growth.

“These efforts have strengthened the Kenyan shilling, reduced fuel prices and reduced the cost of living, including the prices of essential household items,” he said.

The President said the government is also working to address the national debt, reduce public spending and fight corruption.

Ichung’wah said the remaining Bills due to the NADCO report will be expedited, saying they are the product of negotiations.

Odinga noted that finding a permanent solution to the IEBC challenge will greatly help bring stability to the country.

Kalonzo, who was the co-leader of NADCO, said the report aims to align his resolutions with the concerns of the people.