Naema Celestine 
- National Dialogue Committee has finally come into terms on key agenda of the talks but decided to refer issues that were not agreed upon for further consultations after staying in the meeting for the whole day
- The team disagreed on reducing housing levy and VAT on fuel from 16pc to 8pc.
- It recommended the extension of presidential election petition period from the current 14 days to 21
The recommendations agreed upon by the team led by Kenya Kwanza’s Kimani Ichung’wah and Azimio la Umoja’s Kalonzo Musyoka are the creation of the post of Official Opposition Leader with two deputies, and entrenching the Prime Cabinet Secretary’s office into law.
Other proposals by the team include evaluating the 2022 electoral process, expanding the IEBC selection panel, extending the period for presidential petitions from 14 to 21 days and cutting the government’s travel budget.In a late-night media briefing, the team said it had sent the report to President William Ruto and Azmio leader Raila Odinga. The negotiators picked by President Ruto and Mr Odinga had planned to release the document by noon on Saturday, November 25, but pushed it to 5pm before further delays that went late into the night.
By 7pm, both the National Dialogue Committee and the technical team were still holed up in a closed door meeting. The opposition had proposed that the controversial housing levy be scrapped or made voluntary among salaried Kenyans. Other demands by the opposition included a proposal to cut tax on petroleum products. This now remains a pending issue. As the new tax strategies have caused an upsurge on cost of living.
“The Final Report and Proposals of the Committee shall contain a list of agreed issues and those that were not agreed upon. The Final Report and Proposals of the Committee shall be presented to the respective Coalition Leaders. In addition, the Final Report and Proposals of the Committee shall be submitted to the Leader of the Majority Party and the Leader of the Minority Party of each House of Parliament,” states the agreement signed on Wednesday.
It adds, “Upon presentation of the Final Report and Proposals of the Committee, the Leader of the Majority Party and the Leader of the Minority Party of each House of Parliament shall table them and ensure that any proposed reform is introduced in Parliament.”
