By Elijah Odanga
Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) Kenya’s Eugene Wamalwa have called on Members of Parliament to pass the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) resolutions without amendments, likening the report to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and its benefits for all Kenyans.
Speaking at the Wiper Party Headquarters in Nairobi, Kalonzo highlighted devolution as the cornerstone of the Constitution 2010, emphasizing the need to uphold equality and equity as proposed by the BBI. He urged consideration of BBI provisions to address current challenges, stressing the importance of institutional strength and moving beyond individual or community-centric thinking prevalent in government.
Kalonzo stated, “It must be mentioned that the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) was pragmatically clear on equality and equity for all regardless of area, tribe, race, and religion. We should as a matter of urgency consider the BBI provisions going forward as there are solutions to our current predicaments.”
He criticized the cycle of corruption tied to devolved election cycles, which he noted has led to increased theft of public resources. “That pragmatically devolved election cycles since 2013 have resulted in three-times plus the episodes of blatant theft of 15 percent allocation of public resources cannot continue to be the Kenyan narrative.”
DAP Kenya Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa supported the NADCO Report’s recommendation to increase county budgetary allocation from 15% to 20%. He advocated for an even higher allocation of 35%, coupled with stricter checks and balances, to achieve better-funded national secondary schools and Level 5 hospitals.
“I am of the opinion that this should be 35% with more checks and balances holding the county administrations responsible. We will then, I believe, realize our vision of having at least one properly funded and staffed National Secondary School as well as a Level 5 Hospital,” Wamalwa said.
Both leaders emphasized the urgency of these reforms to enhance service delivery and equitable development across Kenya.