Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has voiced his opposition to the inclusion of an audit of the 2022 presidential election as an agenda item in the ongoing bipartisan talks.
According to DP Gachagua, the opposition is pushing for this agenda solely to obstruct progress in the negotiations, arguing that such a review is unworkable.
Addressing a congregation during a church service in Laare town, Meru County, on Sunday, Gachagua asserted that the Supreme Court’s decision to validate President William Ruto’s victory cannot be reversed, and therefore, the matter should be removed from the discussion table.
“There is no constitutional provision for auditing a General Election. The audit was conducted by the Supreme Court, and you were declared the duly elected President of Kenya and sworn in,” he stated.
“We disagree with that, and we would like to request that this agenda be dropped from the talks because the matter has been concluded. You were inaugurated on the 13th of September, you are performing well, and there are no complaints.”
The Deputy President further emphasized his readiness to contest the inclusion of this agenda, considering it a futile endeavor. He advised the opposition to redirect their focus to the upcoming electoral cycle.
“We cannot entertain an agenda to audit the General Election. We chose you, and you won. If anyone has doubts, it’s not these people here,” he remarked.
“If they want to discuss elections, we can have that discussion in 2027, at the ballot box.”
The bipartisan talks are currently being conducted by a 10-member National Dialogue Committee, with each camp represented by five members.
Kenya Kwanza’s team, led by Majority Leader Ichung’wah, includes Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, Hassan Omar, and Catherine Wambilianga.
Azimio’s side is represented by leaders such as Kalonzo Musyoka, Minority Party Leader Opiyo Wandayi, DAP Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa, Nyamira Senator Okon’go Omogeni, and Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi.
After a week of deliberations, the team has identified a five-point agenda for discussion:
- Outstanding Constitutional matters:
- Article 43 of the Constitution, the Cost of living, and related issues.
- Implementation of the ‘two-thirds gender rule.’
- Governance matters, including promoting national unity and inclusivity in public appointments.
- Adequate checks and balances.
- Electoral justice and related matters:
- Restructuring and reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
- Boundaries delimitation.
- Audit of the 2022 presidential election.
- Entrenching funds into the Constitution:
- The National Government Constituencies Development Fund.
- The National Government Affirmative Action Fund.
- The Senate Oversight Fund.
- Establishment and entrenchment of State offices:
- The office of the Leader of the Official Opposition.
- The office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.
- Fidelity to Political Parties/Coalitions and the law on multiparty democracy:
- Preventing interference with political parties/coalitions.
