CORD out to swindle Kenyans to get cash for 2017 campaigns, Jubilee says

Jubilee MPs dismissed Opposition leader Raila Odinga's move to collect money allegedly to pay teachers, claiming it was meant to raise campaign funds ahead of the 2017 elections.

Nominated MP Johnson Sakaja said the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) showed that it had ran out of ideas and is stuck in old politics of populism and insults.

"The much-hyped rally has resulted in the launch of the 'Okoa Baba Fund' where they are planning to swindle Kenyans to fund their 2017 campaigns. They can't even collect Sh1 million signatures or offer a solution to teachers issues," Mr Sakaja said.

Samburu Woman Representative Maison Leshomo said: "Who owns that M-Pesa number that was publicly given? They are making a mockery of the teachers' woes. They are using them to illegally solicit money from Kenyans for their campaigns, pretending that the funds were meant to pay teachers."

The MPs also protested what they called a show of disrespect to women by Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama.

"Every woman should stand and demand an apology from CORD. It is an abuse and a show of disrespect. Mr Muthama in his remarks disrespected his mother, sisters and daughters. He can no longer be called a role model," said Dagoreti South MP Dennis Waweru.

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"Insulting women in such a careless way is a new low we never thought CORD leaders could sink to," Ms Leshoomo said.

Kiambu Women Representative Nyokabi Gathecha added: "It is a taboo and unAfrican to talk about women the way they did today."

Women legislators demanded an apology from the CORD leadership saying it was improper for some of them to attack Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru.

"They can't go around discussing women's private parts instead of genuinely tackling issues affecting Kenyans. That was quite embarrassing for leaders of such calibre," Ms Nyokabi said.

Kieni MP Kanini Kega said police should investigate some of the leaders and hold them responsible for their divisive utterances.

"Teachers' salary was not the issue but politics. The law should apply equally to all those responsible," he said.