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The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has opposed a move by the Kenya Kwanza administration to include experts from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in ongoing bipartisan talks with the Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition.

The financial institutions are expected to give expert input on the cost of living in a forum convened by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) on Tuesday, October 31.

But in a statement on Monday, ODM, a member of the Azimio coalition, rejected the World Bank and IMF’s role in the talks, saying the two international bodies were to blame for the country’s economic challenges.

“We express profound concern regarding the participation of institutions such as the World Bank and IMF for expert input. Their previous advice has contributed to the problems our nation faces today,” ODM’s Executive Director Oduor Ongwen said.

“As a committed member of Azimio, we urge our delegation to stand firm and not accept any deal that does not satisfactorily address the critical problem of the cost of living. It is essential that NADCO operates under the understanding that nothing is agreed upon until everything is agreed upon. The success of these discussions must encompass the comprehensive and genuine interests of the people of Kenya.”

The party further accused the government of a lack of commitment to lowering the cost of living that forms part of the five agenda items before the 10-member committee co-chaired by Azimio’s Kalonzo Musyoka and Kimani Ichung’wah of the Kenya Kwanza side.

“We are deeply concerned that while the talks are ongoing, the current regime continues to implement measures that exacerbate the cost of living, including fuel price hikes and the introduction of new and punitive taxes and levies,” Ongwen stated.

“This is hardly indicative of good faith and a commitment to addressing the concerns of the people. We cautiously welcome tomorrow’s forum convened by NADCO to deliberate the lowering of cost of living challenges faced by Kenyans.”

Cost of living

The committee recently closed ranks on several issues but is yet to agree on how to address the current high cost of living and audit of last year’s presidential elections.

The team announced that they had reached an agreement on the creation of the offices of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Official Leader of Opposition.

They also reached a consensus on the entrenchment of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGF-CDF) and the two-gender rule principle.

The committee was formed following a stand-off between opposition leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto’s camps that saw the former call for street demonstrations to air their grievances.