As calls for dialogue continue to dominate across the nation to stem the ongoing political unrest, a multi-sectoral organisation urges president William Ruto to repeal the Finance Act 2023 as an immediate measure to facilitate meaningful negotiations.
Equally, the National Dialogue Forum, which brings together religious institutions, business fraternity, civil society and labour movement players, call upon opposition leader Raila Odinga to immediately call off the ongoing demonstrations towards the same goal.
“The Forum is aimed at reviewing the state of the nation with a goal of laying the framework for solving the persistent political conflicts that have put us on a downward spiral that could end in destruction. We have recognized that the current political crisis and violence is portending an existential threat on our nation and requires urgent measures to stem it.” A section of a joint statement read by Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) chairman John Obala said.
The group observed that the cycle of pre and post-election crises witnessed over the decades is a reflection of the failure by political leaders to choose dialogue to address their disputes and agreements.
National Dialogue Forum, comprising National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) and KCCB among others, said the dialogue they are recommending should be based on a clearly defined framework that will create a platform for Kenyans to discuss the challenges facing their lives and find amicable solutions.
“We now call upon His Excellency president William Ruto and Right honourable Raila Odinga to embrace dialogue and end the grandstanding that is pushing the country deeper into crisis. As the top political leaders in the country, you have a mandate of entrenching a culture of inclusive and multi-stakeholder dialogue and consultations to address issues rather than confrontations.” Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit of the Anglican Church of Kenya, read part of the statement addressing the two top political rivals.
For sustainability of the engagement process, the group recommended that the framework should be buttressed by religious institutions, adding that there must be a firm commitment that the outcomes of the process will be implemented “to avoid a repeat of what has happened in the past.”
While urging resumption of urgent bi-partisan talks, they recommended it be centered on the single agenda of facilitating reconstitution of the electoral body IEBC.
“We aver that the country is currently in a very precarious position that can lead to an existential crisis should elections be required without a properly constituted commission in place. Further, there remains only ten months for the cardinal process of review of boundaries of electoral units.” Said Hassan Ole Naado of Supkem.
