Don’t hold country hostage to party squabbles, leaders told

Former President of the Bunge la Mwananchi Henry Shitanda/HANDOUT

Shitanda said Kenyans are keen to see the progress achieved by committee overseeing the implementation of the 10-Point Agenda and the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report in Kenya.

‎”The country cannot be held hostage by conflicting statements on the 10-point agenda initiated by UDA and ODM,” Shitanda asserted.

“We must move forward as a country.”

‎The NADCO report, born from talks between the Kenya Kwanza and Azimio coalitions, was intended to address pressing national issues, including electoral reforms, cost of living, and inclusivity.

However, its findings have become entangled in a web of political disputes, which is likely to undermine its credibility.

‎Shitanda expressed concern over the competing timelines and methods for unveiling the document.

“We hear the teams will present different findings. That in itself is holding all of us hostage and putting us in a precarious position when we should be concentrating on the progress of the country,” he said.

‎He highlighted a deepening rift within the coalitions regarding the presentation format. While a faction within UDA and ODM is pushing for the report to be tabled and debated in a joint parliamentary group meeting, another group, reportedly led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Siaya Senator James Orengo, insists the document should be released directly to the public for transparency.

‎”Again, the manner in which the report is to be unveiled doesn’t matter to us,” Shitanda clarified, seeking to bridge the procedural debate.

“What we want is the report to be released so that we get over it and know what we are going to solve and how.”

‎Shitanda argued that while political elites bicker over logistics, ordinary Kenyans are waiting for tangible service delivery from the State.

“We can’t be held hostage by competing political functions on a simple thing like how a report is to be released,” he stated.

The committee overseeing the implementation of the 10-point agenda (COIN-10) and the National Dialogue Committee report, led by former nominated senator Agnes Zani, says all is set for the handing over of its findings and recommendations.

The team has been conducting stakeholder consultations since January and is slated to present its report to President William Ruto during a Kenya Kwanza-ODM parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday.

The committee was mandated to carry out extensive consultations with stakeholders, including government ministries, departments and agencies, civil society organisations, and members of the public before compiling the report.