Gachagua wants audit of 2022 presidential election dropped from bipartisan talks

According to DP Gachagua, the agenda is only being pushed by the opposition to stall the achievement of a tangible agreement in the talks since the review is impractical.

Speaking during a church service in Laare town, Meru County on Sunday, Gachagua argued that the decision by the Supreme Court to validate President William Ruto's victory cannot be reversed and hence the matter should be off the table.

"There is no constitutional provision for anybody to audit a General Election. That audit was done by the Supreme Court and you were declared validly elected and sworn in as the President of Kenya," he said.

"That we don't agree with and we would like to ask that agenda to be dropped from those talks because the matter was concluded, you were sworn in on the 13th of September, you are doing a good job and nobody is complaining."

The second in command further noted that he will be ready to contest the discussion of the agenda since it is a bootless errand, advising the opposition to shift their focus to the next electoral cycle. 

"We cannot allow an agenda to audit the General Election. We chose you and you won and if anybody has a doubt it is not these people (congregation)," he said. 

"If they want a discussion about elections the discussion is 2027 we can have that discussion and that will be at the ballot."

The talks are being held by a 10-member National Dialogue Committee,  5 members representing each camp.

Led by Majority Leader Ichung'wah, Kenya Kwanza's team comprises Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, Hassan Omar and Catherine Wambilianga. 

Azimio's side includes Kalonzo, Minority Party Leader Opiyo Wandayi, DAP Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa, Nyamira Senator Okon'go Omogeni and Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi.

After week-long meetings to deliberate on the matters to iron out, the team arrived at a 5-point agenda as listed hereunder:

1. Outstanding Constitutional matters;

(a). Article 43 of the Constitution, the Cost of living and related issues.

(b). Implementation of the ‘two-thirds gender rule’.

(c). Governance issues, including promoting national unity and inclusivity in public appointments.

(d). Adequate checks and balances.

2. Electoral justice and related matters;

(a). Restructuring and reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

(b). Boundaries delimitation.

 (c). Audit of the 2022 presidential election.

3. Entrenching funds into the Constitution;

(a). The National Government Constituencies Development Fund.

(b). The National Government Affirmative Action Fund.

(c). The Senate Oversight Fund.

4. Establishment and entrenchment of State offices;

(a). The office of the Leader of the Official Opposition.

(b). The office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.

5. Fidelity to Political Parties/Coalitions and the law on multiparty democracy;

a) Preventing interference with political parties/coalitions.