CORD renewed calls for referendum are misguided and reeks of insincerity

Sometime last year the leaders of the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy [CORD] took anti-Jubilee campaign a notch higher when they launched the Okoa Kenya movement. The launch had been preceded by a series of countrywide rallies during which they alleged that President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy had failed to live up to pre-election pledges and the oath of office. In light of this, the CORD brigade led by the three principals would resort to issuing threats and ultimatums to the President.

For instance, prior to the Saba Saba rally, they warned Uhuru that he risked facing a public uprising if he fails to convene a national dialogue conference by then. Though a cloud of uncertainty would reign in the eve of the rally, President Uhuru would not be cowed and he would remain firm, vigilant and prepared to face his critics. However, he would not use strong arm tactics but rather he would act in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. Notably, at no time did President Uhuru move to oppose calls for dialogue but he reiterated that the talks must be held within the framework of the constitution. As such, Kenyans would wait to see Raila’s endgame?

While taking cognizant that the constitution guaranteed Kenyans freedom of assembly, speech and association, the President would at one point disagree with the Inspector General of Police [IGP] when it emerged that plans were underway to cancel the rally. In his no-nonsense remarks at a public rally in Rift Valley, Uhuru would mince no word in stating; “Let CORD go ahead with their rally because that is their constitutional right.” He would however caution and warn the coalition leaders that the law will catch up with them if they incite their supporters to engage in acts of violence. The rights of those who did not believe in CORD agenda must too be respected.

With the presence of tight security as the organizers had requested, the Saba Saba rally would be held without any incident worth talking about. Earlier reports indicate the rally at Uhuru Park had to be delayed to allow the principals to hold a meeting during which they would review and change the agenda and the message they would communicate to their supporters. The principals would change the tune and pitch tent for the unveiling of Okoa Kenya.

In various occasions, CORD leader Raila Odinga would use the analogy of a Donkey in alleging that Kenyans were tired with Jubilee government. “Kenyans are ready to take back their country if Uhuru and Ruto do not address the myriad of problems which they were facing”. Notably, the incessant war between the ruling Jubilee Coalition and CORD started soon after UhuRuto were declared the winners of the March 4, 2013 general election and eventually sworn in.

Though CORD flag bearer Raila Odinga had lost with a margin of more than 800,000 votes, the coalition leaders would denounce the results and allege that their candidate had won but the outgoing President Mwai Kibaki’s men ‘rigged him out’ in broad day light. But Raila and his team would suffer a devastating blow when the Supreme Court Judges dismissed and struck out their petition on ground that the evidence presented was weak, speculative and could not withstand high threshold required for the case of that nature.

Back to the Okoa Kenya, it should be recalled that it would only take a few weeks before the leaders toned down and eventually suspended the campaign. This is after it emerged that the campaign failed to pick up as many Kenyans would not rally behind their call as they had anticipated. Many argued that CORD was not genuine in rallying for constitutional amendment and it was using the issue to push for its political agenda in 2017 polls.

Notably, Raila who then served as the Prime Minister was a leading player in the entire process that heralded in the enactment of the constitution of Kenya in 2010. During the referendum campaigns, he would rally Kenyans to support the draft constitution arguing that it was one of best documents in the world. He would compare it to the American and South African constitutions and others enacted by developed and fast growing economies.

In light of this, many Kenyans would pose. What has changed? Why is he in a hurry to amend the constitution which he was instrumental in its formation? Was he using the card to keep the country on an election mood and eventually sabotage the government from delivering on its election pledges?

It is worth noting that Jubilee have had its share of successes and failures. All over the world, you will not find a government that is 100 per cent perfect. Compared to the successive governments of the independent Kenya, including the grand coalition government where Raila served as PM, Jubilee has made great strides in rebuilding the economy and uplifting the living standards of Kenyans. However, we agree that a lot need to be done. Jubilee has promised that it is up to the task.

For now, CORD has embarked on what is viewed as desperate moves to revive and resuscitate the Okoa Kenya. Speaking during the launch of the referendum bill, Hon Raila once again vowed that their campaign to amend the constitution was unstoppable. He said many Kenyans supported the initiative and added that they were moving to the next level of wooing at least 24 counties to their side. Further, he alleged that the Jubilee administration had ‘totally failed’ and challenged President Kenyatta to call for fresh elections.

I hope many would agree that Raila has all along proved that his primary goal is not to amend the constitution. He is however using the issue to further his political ambitions. As a veteran politician, he knows that he had to initiate and engage the country in a national discourse, no matter its implications, in order to popularize himself. That is why he would leave nothing to chance as he prepares the ground to battle it out with President Kenyatta in 2017 polls. In light of this, many doubt that Okoa Kenya will never succeed.