Kalonzo, Wamalwa claim 'sabotage' in implementation of NADCO report

Politicians Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa have jointly accused the Kenya Kwanza wing of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) of dishonesty regarding the implementation of its report.

They spoke in Mombasa County on Monday, following a two-day visit to Kwale County over the weekend.

Kalonzo, who is NADCO co-chair and leader of the Wiper Democratic Movement, and Wamalwa, leader of the DAP-Kenya party, claimed that leaders in the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition are solely focused on appointing the next IEBC commissioners, neglecting other aspects of the report.

Their statement points to growing tensions within the committee and suggests significant discrepancies in the interpretation and execution of its recommendations.

It further signals potential obstacles to achieving consensus and the effective implementation of reforms outlined in the NADCO report.

The two said that a decision by the Kiambu High Court last Thursday amounted to mischief and an attempt to frustrate the process.

The High Court suspended the implementation of the report pending a hearing and determination of a case filed by activist Michael Muchemi.

The petitioner had argued that any attempts to have parliament process the contents of the NADCO report would plunge the country into an unprecedented constitutional crisis.

Kalonzo alleges that the government's actions, as evidenced by the court decision, are deliberate and go against agreements reached at the Bomas of Kenya.

They further accuse the government of lacking goodwill in the matter.

“After people made efforts to unite the country, there is still a situation of mistrust, a tendency to sabotage agreements that took time and much thought, often accompanied by significant embarrassment,” Kalonzo said.

He said they were in Mombasa to update Governor Abdulswamad Nassir on the NADCO report after conducting several meetings over the weekend in the neighbouring Kwale County.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir hosts Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka (right) and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa at his office on April 1, 2024. (Photo: Mombasa County Press)

Kalonzo and Wamalwa want President William Ruto and the opposition's Azimio la Umoja coalition leader, Raila Odinga, to take over the leadership of the report, stating it is a crucial step.

They noted that cooperation, calm and respect for authority will be needed to achieve agreements that benefit all parties.

Wamalwa said their country tour thus far has revealed that the cry is the same; "lowering the tax burden and the cost of living".

The leaders started their tour in Kajiado and then proceeded to Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Kisii, Nyamira, and Migori, before touring Lunga Lunga, Msambweni, Ukunda, and then Likoni, and spent three days at the coast by Monday.

"The cry is the same, whether at the coast, Nyanza, Mount Kenya, Ukambani or Western. Kenyans are feeling it,” said Wamalwa.

He called out Kenya Kwanza lawmakers, stating they cannot say the cost of living has declined because of the reduction of the price of one commodity.

“This does not mean the economy is good. Taxes are still going higher and higher, and this is the burden Kenyans are feeling here at the coast and everywhere else. When you are adding taxes every day, you are adding a heavy burden on every Kenyan,” he said.

”The other issue is the attempted legal blockade of the NADCO report's implementation. As you know, I was one of those who did not sign the report after they refused to deal with the issue of the heavy taxes and high cost of living. But one issue that went on to Parliament is the issue of IEBC. This is a very sensitive and critical issue. Mombasa is one of those counties that was affected, and Kakamega. In the last general election, there was deliberate interference with two key counties.”

They have assured of going back to the streets for protests if the NADCO report will not be implemented as agreed.

However, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah said they have already published the IEBC Bill to reconstitute a new commission.

"Let Kalonzo not be worried. We will deal with the court injections in court. If the court has stopped implementation of any part of the NADCO report, that has nothing to do with the Kenya Kwanza Government," he said.