CORD and Jubilee clash over security bill

Opposition leader Raila Odinga with Secretary General Ababu Namwamba after a CORD leaders' meeting in Nairobi, Tuesday. [PHOTO: WILLIS AWANDU/STANDARD]

NAIROBI: Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga led Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leaders in tearing into the controversial Security Laws (Amendment) Bill at a public forum Tuesday.

Raila warned that it was the first step in creating a dictatorship and that it would be used to harass critics and opponents of the Jubilee government.

“When you see a snake, target the head. Kenyans must stand firm. The time has come for Kenyans to stand up and say no.

The law is dictatorial and seeks to oppress Kenyans. At times like this, it is important for people to come together.”

Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) Tuesday zeroed in on President Uhuru Kenyatta who it blamed for the offending clauses in the controversial Security Laws Amendment Bill, 2014.

This comes ahead of the tabling of the draft law in Parliament for its Third Reading tomorrow.

Signalling what is panning out to be yet another drawn-out battle with its rivals in Jubilee over the controversial set of laws, CORD co-principal Raila Odinga Tuesday led his compatriots in poking holes into the bill.

During a public forum held at the historic Ufungamano House, the former premier asked Kenyans to reject the proposed law.

“When you see a snake, target the head. Kenyans must stand firm. The time has come for Kenyans to stand up and say no. The law is dictatorial and seeks to oppress Kenyans. We are facing very difficult times and at times like this, it is important for people to come together. This is how dictatorship begins and then grows roots.

“The President should respect the rights of Kenyans in the same way the International Criminal Court (ICC) respected his rights,” said Raila.

But in a swift rejoinder, State House through Presidential Strategic Communication Unit directors, dismissed CORD’s sentiments and challenged the leaders to stand with Kenyans instead of siding with terrorists.

The directors, Munyori Buku, Emmanuel Talam, Dennis Itumbi, Munira Muhamed, Eric Ng’eno, James Kinyua, David Nzioka and Thomas Kwaka, hit out at Raila, claiming Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) thrived from “extracting maximum political advantage out of crises, tragedies and disasters”.

“As a result, ODM seems to resurrect suddenly upon news of carnage, conflict, difficulty and suffering in this country. ODM’s most exuberant political performances are restricted to funerals,” they said.

They said the Government would not relent in its efforts to secure the country against terrorists or be distracted by the Opposition and civil society protests.

DEVOTING ENERGIES

The State House officials accused ODM of ‘hijacking’ CORD and devoting its energies in opposing the Government even if the results were insecurity, instability and pain to the people as long as it presented its leaders with an opportunity to claim power.

“This is why Raila Odinga has no qualms standing before the world to canvass the most irresponsible, mendacious and dangerous allegations in opposing the Security Laws (Amendment) Bill,” their statement read in part.

CORD was apparently reacting to President Kenyatta’s remarks during the Jamhuri Day celebrations in which he termed the Opposition’s protestations ‘petty and irrational’ and this also appeared to have provided the Opposition with more arsenal with which to corner him over the Bill.

In response, Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula said, “Let the President know that we are not petty, or terrorists.”

During the Ufungamano meeting, CORD threatened to escalate the controversy over from the floor of the National Assembly to the streets and eventually to the courts.

Senators James Orengo (Siaya) and Johnstone Muthama (Machakos) called on Kenyans to come out to oppose the Bill.

Raila warned against fear of speaking out on the controversial clauses in the draft law.

“Speak out now when you are able to speak,” he said.

MASS ACTION

Although it is not clear if the call for street protests by some CORD leaders is the official party position, ODM Chairman John Mbadi told The Standard it alluded to the possibility of the coalition calling for mass action if the controversial laws are passed.

“We will call people to go out and protest if the Bill passes in its current format. We will also seek legal interpretation,” said Mbadi.

ODM Secretary General Ababu Namwamba said the National Assembly will be on trial when the Bill comes for the Third Reading tomorrow.

“The National Assembly is supposed to be a collection of the consciences of the nation. The conscience and morality of the nation is on the cross on the floor of the National Assembly,” said Namwamba.

ODM is this morning expected to hold an informal meeting where its official position on the laws will be discussed. It is also expected to take a common position on its own proposed changes to the bill