Cherargei protests dialogue team’s decision on his oral submissions

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei is now protesting why the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) declined to hear his oral submissions on various issues he wants addressed through the bipartisan talks.

Cherargei who has hit the headlines for proposing to increase the presidential term limit from the current five years to seven years, demanded NADCO to open up their doors for any Kenyan to make oral presentations.

In his letter dated September 29, 2023, Cherargei said that the committee had succumbed to emotional blackmail and cowed to parochial political interests resulting in non-practicing of the principle of natural justice.

“It was my wish to appear before the committee to clarify issues of National Importance and interest and more so on the issue of extension of Presidential Term limits among other issues,” Cherargei wrote to the committee.

The Nandi lawmaker also wants the institutionalization of the Office of the Opposition Leader, re-introduction of the Office of Prime Minister, Constitutional backing of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and Ward Fund as well as veto powers of the Senate.

“I hereby wish to express my dissatisfaction on the committee on my memoranda considering that the matters I raised elicited serious concerns among members of the public,” the senator said.

Thie latest development comes after NADCO declined a request from Cherargei to physically appear before the committee, saying that they would admit only his submitted memorandum.

In their letter dated September 28, 2023, the committee co-chaired by Kikuyu legislator and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka declined Cherargei’s request.

“We regret to inform you that we shall not hold the meeting as earlier communicated. In light of the foregoing, the committee shall consider your written memoranda as earlier submitted,” reads part of NADCO’s letter.

Cherargei charged that the committee expressed constraint of time which is why they have declined to hear his oral submissions.

“They are saying that they are constrained by time. That is not a plausible explanation. Kenyans have issues and they should be patient. We are paying them expensively and they should listen to all Kenyans including mad people,” Cherargei said.

He instead accused the committee of spending Ksh106 million, adding that each member is paid Ksh50,000 per sitting.

In his support for the extension of the presidential term limit, Cherargei argued that the current five-year mandate is not enough to run a government.

“This enables the president to have a good opportunity to form and establish a formidable team to deliver his manifesto,” he said.

Cherargei further argued that the Kenya presidential election is always highly profiled as a result of it being conducted within a short period of time, thus making it a do-or-die adventure.

He went on: “The continuous campaign mood in the country has been occasioned by the perception that elections are held within a short period of five years. In any election period, we lose a whole year in campaigns. And another year is lost immediately after the election because of the litigation in the Supreme Court.”