Kioni Accuses Ruto of Blocking Initiatives to Ease Cost of Living

Internal discord has erupted among members of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) regarding the soaring cost of living issue.

Newsline.co.ke Digital has learned that this turmoil poses a threat to the ongoing negotiations aimed at reaching a consensus between allies of President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga. The situation escalated after protests against the Kenyan First government were quashed.

Sources indicate that the committee has reached an agreement on establishing the Official Opposition Leader’s Office and that of the Chief of Staff (PCS) to address concerns about the “winner takes all” approach.

Some representatives of the Resolution in the committee are now pushing for the Kenya First coalition and the international community to utilize these discussions to prevent protests and portray the legitimization of the current government.

Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni asserts that the Kenya First government has not committed to reducing the cost of living. He states that every time this issue is raised in NADCO meetings, it is sidelined.

“We have been pressing for prioritizing the cost of living issue, but they insist that it should be handled by experts. Clearly, we have a government that has failed in its duties,” said Mr. Kioni. He questions, “Why involve experts in political matters? If the committee indeed has the president’s council, our job is to agree on something, and it is the experts’ duty to implement what we agree on.”

Mr. Kioni also mentioned that Kenya First has rejected discussions on the involvement of political parties in the Resolution, with members of the ruling coalition avoiding meetings with foreign officials visiting Kenya.

“As the Resolution coalition, we were compelled to participate in these talks with Kenyans and the international community. Kenyans raised concerns about disruptions to their businesses and hardships due to protests,” he said.

“If the Kenya First coalition genuinely wants to address these issues, why not engage in these discussions? We found ourselves in a situation where we could have stopped the protests, but we knew we were being deceived. We attended meetings, but after officials from foreign countries arrived in Kenya, Kenya First members began skipping those meetings,” added Mr. Kioni, a former Ndaragua MP.

Additionally, he revealed that the National Dialogue Committee, led by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, is discussing a proposal to extend senators’ terms from five to seven years.

Mr. Kioni’s statement follows Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua’s threat to organize protests if the issue of the rising cost of living is not addressed. The ODM party has also criticized the Kenya First coalition for not demonstrating commitment to addressing the cost of living issue. In a statement after an ODM MPs’ meeting attended by Raila Odinga, the party’s Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna said that Kenya First is “evasive about the rising cost of living.” He added, “They have refused to tell us if they will take the suggested steps to reduce the cost of living, such as removing VAT on fuel and abolishing the 1.5% housing tax on employees’ salaries.”