Dialogue report is a waste of time and taxpayers' money-Karua

She appeared to read a different script from that of Raila Odinga

In Summary
  • The party leader was, however, quick to clarify that she remains a member of the coalition.

  • This, even, as she proposed a freeze on the selection of new commissioners for 45-60 days until what ails the electoral system is cured.

Narc Kenya Party leader Azimio Co-principle Martha Karua during the party end year presser in Nairobi on December 7,2023
Narc Kenya Party leader Azimio Co-principle Martha Karua during the party end year presser in Nairobi on December 7,2023
Image: ENOS TECHE

NARC-K has reaffirmed its position on the recently released National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, terming it a "waste of time and taxpayers' money".

The party, through its leader Martha Karua, said the report has not addressed key issues that forced Kenyans to demonstrate.

The cost of living, audit of the 2022 election and respect for political parties and multiparty democracy, Karua stated, remain their concerns which must fully be addressed.

"The findings of the NADCO report confirm that the committee was formed by the unwilling, composed of the incompetent to do the unnecessary," Karua said during a press conference on Thursday.

The Azimio principal who appeared to read from a different script with that of Raila Odinga on the audit of the election, argued that parliament is dominated by Kenya Kwanza and nothing tangible will be achieved.

She objected to the constitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), saying it should be preceded by the audit of the last poll.

The NADCO report states that there will be an audit and proposes a parliamentary process where the leader of the majority and minority will appoint auditors for each side.

This, according to Karua, is a departure from "what we in Azimio had proposed which is an independent systems audit and a forensic audit".

"These proposals make the audit a parliamentary process which is the comfort zone of Kenya Kwanza," she added.

The party leader was, however, quick to clarify that she remains a member of the coalition.

This, even, as she proposed a freeze on the selection of new commissioners for 45-60 days until what ails the electoral system is cured.

She said with the talks having taken eight months, the country can afford to freeze the process again.

"The country has consistently changed IEBC commissioners every election cycle starting with 2008 when an entire commission was sent home... We need to accept that change of commissioners without identifying what ails our electoral system is not a panacea to the ills that bedevil the commission," said Karua.

The report, she added, has nothing to alleviate the suffering of citizens, especially on the cost of living, but instead offers goodies to the leaders.

"It is a fraud which Kenyans should frown upon and reject. It is a distracting national smokescreen," she said.

WATCH: The latest videos from the Star