The Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD-Kenya) is deeply committed to advancing the goal of building an inclusive accountable and vibrant multiparty democratic Kenyan state and society. Today, we address the pressing issues of national dialogue and the two thirds gender principle, both of which play pivotal roles in shaping a representative and equitable government.

National Dialogue Committee Report: A Call for comprehensive and transparent dissemination plan The National Dialogue Committee was established through a resolution adopted by the National Assembly and the Senate in August 2023. The mandate of the Committee was to facilitate dialogue and consensus
building and recommend appropriate constitutional, legal and policy reforms on issues of concern to the people of Kenya.

The rising cost of living, the 2022 election outcomes and allegations of malpractices, and concerns about policies implemented by the government led to protests and demonstrations. The protests caused
widespread disruptions and, in some cases, violent and fatal confrontations. On 25th November 2023, the NADCO unveiled its Final Report detailing a raft of findings and recommendations. As a multiparty dialogue platform, we encourage all Kenyans to continue engaging in meaningful discussions and advocate for comprehensive national dialogue that brings together diverse stakeholders.

We underscore that it is only through a constructive, respectful and open dialogue and collaborative efforts that we can collectively address the root causes of societal issues and work towards sustainable solutions that benefit all Kenyans such as fostering greater understanding, promoting tolerance, and finding common ground on social economic and political challenges.

While we acknowledge the efforts put into the National Dialogue and the subsequent report, we are concerned by the lack of a comprehensive and transparent dissemination plan that would ensure that the report reaches a wider audience and stimulates constructive public discourse. The report generated from such dialogues is of paramount importance to the citizens of Kenya, and therefore, it is imperative that its findings and recommendations are widely accessible to the public. Having released the National Dialogue Report in a timely manner, we make the following proposals to allow for an informed public engagement:

1. Accessibility: The report should be made available through various
   channels and formats to ensure accessibility for all citizens,
   including those in remote areas and those with visual impairment.
   We also believe that an abridged popular version of the Report
   should be made available in both English and Kiswahili.
2. Public Forums: We call upon government, political parties and
   development partners to support public forums for citizens to
   engage directly with the contents and provide feedback on the
   findings of the report.
3. Media Engagement: National Dialogue is a public agenda, which
   could be promoted through collaboration with both public and
   private media outlets to disseminate information through
   newspapers, radio, television, and online platforms. We urge a
   broader partnership toward this goal.
4. Stakeholder Involvement: To enhance outreach and impact, Political
   Parties, Civil society organizations, private sector, religious
   organisations and other stakeholders should be involved in the
   dissemination.