NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 9 – President William Ruto has announced a six-day multi-sectoral convention which will kick off on Monday.
Speaking after holding consultations with Azimio La Umoja One Kenya leadership led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, President Ruto said the forum will deliberate on the way forward out of the crisis Kenya is facing.
The President said the proposed National Multisectoral Forum, aimed at addressing issues raised in recent protests, will be held for six days from Monday.
He said the forum will encompass 150 members, 50 of them youth, while 100 will be drawn from religious institutions, civil society, professional organisations and political parties, among other stakeholders.
President Ruto said participants in the forum will bear their own costs in line with the government’s policy of austerity.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi, during the signing into law of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendment) Bill, the President asked the various stakeholders to submit their representatives by Friday.
“We have had consultations and agreed that, to bring the country together to focus on the issues of priority, we will move ahead with the multisectoral forum,” he said.
President Ruto welcomed political parties and all other stakeholders to work with the government in forging a new path for the country.
“As a way of charting the future from the current situation, I welcome all leaders and other stakeholders to work together to address the current economic situation through a broad-based political arrangement and to rally the country forward,” he said.
The President said he was confident that Kenyans and their leaders will pull together in the best interest of the country.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who is also the leader of the opposition, said leaders have agreed that dialogue is the way forward out of the current situation the country is in.
“We have agreed to give the people an opportunity to be heard and to articulate the grievances that are ailing our country so that a lasting solution can be found,” he said.
Other leaders present were Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime 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 party leaders Wycliffe Oparanya and Hassan Joho.
Earlier, during the assent to the IEBC (Amendment) Bill that paves the way for the reconstitution of the electoral commission, the President said the law is one of the recommendations of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report.
He pointed out that NADCO was a testament to the country’s ability to navigate difficult, complex and sometimes divisive issues that undermine Kenya’s cohesion, stability and security.
The President said the amended law will facilitate the establishment of the selection panel for the appointment of IEBC commissioners.
“The IEBC remains a cornerstone of our democracy, responsible for overseeing regular elections at various levels and overall ensuring our electoral cycle is managed transparently and administered in an impartial, neutral, efficient, accurate and accountable manner,” he said.
The President said professionalism and integrity will be the guiding principles of the new team that will be expanded to include accounting and information technology experts.
He urged the leadership of Parliament, both Majority and Minority sides, to expedite the implementation of the remaining NADCO report recommendations.
Gachagua called on Kenyans to shun violence and give dialogue a chance, noting violence begets violence.
On the economy, President Ruto said the government remains steadfast in ensuring the economy continues to grow despite past and current shocks.
He said the government has done its best to mobilise domestic and external resources to accelerate economic growth.
“These efforts have strengthened the Kenyan shilling, reduced fuel prices and lowered the cost of living, including the prices of essential household goods,” he said.
The President said the government is also working on addressing national debt, reducing public expenditure and fighting corruption.
Ichung’wah said the remaining Bills arising from the NADCO report will be expedited, saying it was a product of dialogue.
Odinga noted that finding a lasting solution to the IEBC challenge will go a long way in stabilising the country.
Kalonzo, who was the co-chair of NADCO, said the report is keen on aligning its resolutions to the concerns of the people.
