The Senate has voted to approve the National Dialogue Committee.

During the Special Sitting held on Tuesday, Senators unanimously voted to approve the National Dialogue Committee consisting of 10 members to represent the Kenya Kwanza Alliance (“Kenya Kwanza”), a coalition constituting the Majority Party of the Parliament of the Republic of Kenya and Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party (“Azimio”), a coalition forming the Minority Party of the Parliament of the Republic of Kenya.

The Motion was moved by the Senate Majority Leader Sen. Aaron Cheruiyot and seconded by the Leader of Minority in the Senate Sen. Stewart Madzayo.

While moving the motion, Sen. Cheruiyot assured the Senators that the team is up to the task, appealing to them to support it fully to deliver.

He noted that the Committee will among others deliberate on the Senate Oversight Fund, the National Government Constituency Development Fund, National Government Affirmative Action Fund and other Constitutional issues such as electoral injustices and constitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

His sentiments were echoed by the Minority Leader Sen. Stewart Madzayo who expressed his confidence in the team promising to support its work.

The Senate Speaker Rt. Hon. Amason Jeffah Kingi gave the lawmakers 3 minutes each to contribute to the Motion with most members supporting the motion and offering to give the committee the necessary support to ensure it delivers on its mandate.

They called on their fellow Senators and leaders at large to desist from diluting the discussions with political interests.

In addition, they commended President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for initiating the talks saying that Dialogue is a recipe for unity of the Nation and general development of the country.

Among the Senators who made their contributions were the Deputy Speaker Sen. Kathuri Murungi, Senators Dan Maanzo, Gloria Orwoba, Eddy Oketch, Enoch Wambua, James Murango, Fatuma Dullo, Shakila Abdalla, William Cheptumo, Mohamed Abbas, Jackson Mandago, Wahome Wamatinga, Prof. Margret Kamar, Joe Nyutu, Wakili Hillary Sigei and Karen Nyamu.

Others were Senators Dr. Oburu Oginga, Danson Mungatana, Joseph Githuku, Alexander Mundigi, Mohamed Faki, Veronica Maina, Tabitha Keroche, Mohamed Chute, John Methu, Johnes Mwaruma, Beth Syengo and John Kinyua.

The approval of the Motion by the Senate has come 2 weeks after the National Assembly approved the Committee before transmitting the Motion to the Senate.

The approval of the Motion by the Senate has now given the National Dialogue Committee a legal framework to carry out its mandate.

The Committee shall comprise a total of 10 members with each side being represented by 5 members.

Kenya Kwanza side will be represented by Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung’wah who is the Leader of the Delegation, Governor Cecily Mbarire (Deputy Delegation Leader), Senate Majority Leader Sen. Aaron Cheruiyot, Hon. Hassan Omar Hassan and Bungoma County Woman Member of Parliament Catherine Wambilianga.

Azimio will be represented by former Vice President Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka (Delegation Leader), National Assembly Leader of Minority Opiyo Wandayi (Deputy Delegation Leader), Hon. Amina Mnyazi, Hon. Eugene Wamalwa and Sen. Okong’o Mogeni.

The House later considered the Public Finance Management (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (National Assembly Bills No. 16 of 2023) before adjourning.