CORD vows to push for referendum

CORD leaders have exuded confidence of winning the battle for a referendum, saying they are not worried by the “tyranny of numbers” that supposedly helped usher the Jubilee coalition into power.

Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said there was no turning back in the push for referendum.

“As a country we are facing serious challenges and the leadership has taken a dangerous direction for this country. They have failed to tackle tribalism, insecurity, corruption and the only way to curb that is through a referendum. Even devolution is under threat,’’ Dr Khalwale said during the 8th graduation at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, yesterday.

Wetang’ula added: “We in alternative leadership are patriotic if not more patriotic and we want this nation to move forward. Referendum is not about tyranny of numbers but to spur economic growth and the National Assembly has little to do with it.”

Address interests

The senator said the referendum will address interests of all communities and ensure they are represented at national level in terms of jobs, which are currently being shared among two tribes. Former President Mwai Kibaki attended the function.

Khalwale claimed President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy William Ruto had refused to meet CORD to discuss pressing matters in the country and reiterated that the referendum will represent all Kenyans.

“We want the county to go for a referendum so that the nation can make a decision on insecurity, corruption and tribalism,’’ he said.

Khalwale also welcomed the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) gesture to slash county assemblies’ budgets to ensure prudent management of devolved funds.

He argued that funds meant for development projects at county level had been diverted to activities not useful to the public by Members of County Assemblies.

“Devolution was about development and not what is being witnessed right now. It is sad that MCAs have moved to court to challenge CRA recommendations. They should not exceed ceilings when they want to engage in their personal interests,’’ said Khalwale.

Speaking separately in Mombasa, Kalonzo said CORD was looking for 10 million voters in the forth coming referendum to change the suffering of Kenyans.

He said the CORD leadership was not worried about the tyranny of numbers of the Jubilee administration that is intent to stop the move to change the Constitution. He said problems in Kenya affected all and the move to have the referendum was expected to be supported by the whole country.

The Wiper leader dismissed Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku’s claims that CORD leaders were using the land question to woo Kenyans to support the referendum.