Raila convenes joint parliamentary meeting after Ruto’s signal on NADCO report
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has announced that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and other affiliate parties will convene a joint parliamentary group meeting next week to accelerate the implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report.
His remarks come days after ODM and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) each announced a five-member committee to deliberate on the report.
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The ODM leader has said the move is important to a renewed push to address critical political and governance issues in Kenya.
Speaking on Friday, August 8, 2025, during the burial ceremony of the late Phoebe Asiyo in Karachuonyo, Homa Bay, Raila emphasised the importance of honouring the agreements captured in the NADCO report and ensuring that Parliament plays its role in enacting necessary legislative and policy changes.
“Next week, we are going to have a joint parliamentary group meeting to ensure that our members of Parliament implement what we need in place so that we can be able to implement what we’ve agreed on. This is going to happen,” he said.
The honcho said the planned meeting is expected to bring together ODM lawmakers and those from other Azimio-affiliated parties, with a focus on translating the report’s recommendations into actionable legislation.
Raila urged political players to allow the process to unfold without unnecessary disruption.
“I just want to say to the naysayers, give us space, give us food, and charge us in 2027. This is going to remain in place after 2027. One term, one term, one term. So let the Kenyans decide the term, and we will see where we want to go,” Raila charged.
Raila underscored the need to fully implement the NADCO Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), not just as a political agreement, but as a blueprint for long-term national unity and stability.
“We also have a structure on how to ensure that the MOU itself is implemented to the full,” he said.
He warned against divisive rhetoric and exclusionary politics, calling for equity in national development and service delivery.
“I want to tell you also that there is a government that has got shareholders. Then why are you collecting taxes from those who don’t have shares?” Raila asked.
“You collect money from them, and you say they don’t deserve services because they did not share with you?”
Compensation for protest victims
In a strong show of solidarity with victims of political unrest, Raila also reiterated his support for the full compensation of individuals who have suffered during past protests, spanning as far back as 2017.
“Injured, those who have been lost, those who have died, the families of those who have died will be compensated. And we go back to 2024, 2023, 2022, we go back to 2017. All those people who have been maimed, they have been killed, and so on, the families are going to be compensated,” he stated.
According to Raila, a comprehensive framework is already in place to facilitate this compensation process.
He said the government needed to acknowledge and address the pain suffered by citizens during periods of political tension and police crackdowns.
“They have already put in place a framework for that to happen,” he added.
