Kenyans are on their own, MP Amisi displeased with dialogue committee proposals on cost of living

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has expressed dissatisfaction with the recommendations submitted by the National Dialogue Committee on lowering the high cost of living. 

Amisi on Sunday said Kenyans no longer have anyone to defend their interests. 

"If these are the proposals coming out of the national dialogue committee sitting for ninety days, on a reduction in the existential high cost of living, then this country is incorrigible for sure," Amisi said. 

"Kenyans are officially on their own. Wait for miracles at your own peril. We must disturb the stubborn status quo."

According to Amisi, the submissions by the NADCO committee do not meet the purpose for which it was formed- which was majorly to address the high cost of living as Kenyans were told. 

"As much as we demanded the cost of living to feature highly in the reports, we never envisage a haphazardly organised phrase to satisfy our appetite," the lawmaker said. 

The National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) was co-chaired by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Majority leader Kimani Ichungwah. 

It on Saturday admitted to failing to agree on the matter of cost of living while unveiling the final report of its deliberations.

In the report, both camps made proposals on key issues that were part and parcel of the talks in which they disclosed failure to hit a deal on Azimio's major concerns on taxes, the finance act, and the Housing Levy.

"The committee was unable to reach a consensus on a number of other proposals on the matter of cost of living, including the reduction of VAT on fuel from 16% to 8%, and scrapping of the housing levy, the twin issues in the Finance Act 2023," the report stated.

The Azimio coalition had argued that the cost of living had hit a record high owing to the new taxes introduced by the Ruto regime.

ODM leader Raila Odinga had warned that he would not append his signature on the report if the committee fails to address the cost of living as demanded by Azimio.

“The Azimio Coalition will not enter into any agreement without first addressing the cost of living. The cost of living must be reduced, and we must also address the audit of last year’s election,” Raila said at an event in Mombasa on November 6.

Despite failing to hammer a deal on taxes, NADCO tabled four key proposals to address the cost of living.

"NADCO recommends that all arms of government shall reduce their travel budgets by 50 per cent and that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission review Daily Subsistence Allowances for State and Public Officers with a view to reducing by 30 per cent," the first proposal read.