Talks good, but high cost of living must also be addressed

President William Ruto & Azimio leader Raila Odinga at Nyayo Stadium while watching a football match between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia on May 14, 2023. [PCS]

As Kenyans eagerly wait for the implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (Nadco) report, we must commend President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s teams because, ultimately, peace has triumphed over chaos.

As former British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill once said, “If the human race wishes to have a prolonged and indefinite period of material prosperity, they have only got to behave in a peaceful and helpful way towards one another.”

We appreciate the peaceful gesture to dialogue by President Ruto and Raila, and also appreciate the efforts by their two teams led by former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.

Even though the report is not fully satisfactory in that it has not spelt out ways of reducing the cost of living, it is a good start. We urge President Ruto and his administration to speed up the process to reduce the cost of living as he promised for the sake of struggling Kenyans.

The committee’s recommendation to amend the Constitution to provide for the equitable share of funds to the county governments to not less than 20 per cent of all revenue collected by the National Government from the current 15 per cent is a step in the right direction.

The proposal for the establishment of the Ward Development Fund is equally a welcomed idea as it will further help spur development at the grassroots. Today, we can boast of a vision of unity, progress, and a brighter future for our nation. We know that the challenges of our time require innovative solutions, and we welcome fresh ideas from all walks of life.

This is the power of unity, a power that can help us overcome the divisive politics of the past and focus on the common good.

But building a coalition is not just about gaining political power. It’s about delivering on our promises and solving real problems for the people we serve. Our party stands for good governance, economic prosperity, social justice, and a sustainable future. We understand that the next generation of voters is deeply concerned about issues like climate change, education, healthcare, and social equality. It’s our duty to address these concerns and work tirelessly to make a better world for all.

Our youth, the vibrant voters of tomorrow, are looking for leadership that believes in their potential, harnesses their energy and ideas, and provides them with opportunities to shape the future. Together, we can build a government that reflects the hopes and dreams of the next generation.

So, let us reach out to potential partners with open hearts and minds and work together to create a coalition that serves the people and unites us in a common cause.

The writer is leader of Green Congress of Kenya Party