The committee tasked with implementing the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report and its ten-point agenda has announced plans to broaden its mandate beyond legislative action, incorporating policy and institutional reforms to address wider national concerns.
Speaking during a joint parliamentary group meeting bringing together members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, committee chairperson and Nominated Senator Agnes Zani underscored the importance of addressing issues raised outside the strict confines of legislation.
“We have to go beyond and try to find other ways of addressing issues raised through policies and reforms,” Zani said. “Even during public participation, people said a lot of things that are very critical, and we need to include them in our work.”
The committee, co-chaired by Zani and Vice Chair Javas Bigambo, includes members Fatuma Ibrahim, Gabriel Oguda, and Kevin Kiarie. It was established following a political truce between President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga, with the aim of advancing national consensus and implementing NADCO’s recommendations.
Zani emphasized that the expanded scope is designed to reflect citizen voices in tangible governance outcomes. “We need to hear the voices of what Kenyans are talking about and craft them as policies or legislation,” she noted.
The NADCO report was the product of extensive consultations involving civil society groups, trade unions, government ministries, independent commissions, and representatives of community and minority groups. Its recommendations shaped the ten-point agenda agreed upon by the country’s two main political factions, seeking to foster political stability and inclusive governance.
With the broadened approach, the committee will now examine administrative and institutional reforms that could reshape how public institutions function in response to citizen concerns. This development signals a commitment to ensuring that issues highlighted during the dialogue process translate into practical solutions, not just laws.
The National Assembly formally adopted the NADCO report on December 7, 2023, after it was tabled by Majority Leader and committee co-chair Kimani Ichung’wah. The report’s recommendations, focusing on five key thematic areas, aim to provide a foundation for constitutional, legal, and policy reforms to address the country’s pressing challenges.
