MPs slam referendum calls as Deputy President William Ruto appeals for tribal tolerance

Deputy President William Ruto, Meru Senator Kiratu Murungi and Governor Peter Munya during the thanksgiving of the area's Women Rep Florence Kajuku at Consolota Primary School in Meru. [PHOTO/DPPS]

Meru, Kenya - Members of Parliament allied to the Jubilee Coalition yesterday dismissed the Okoa Kenya referendum calls by the CORD coalition claiming its leader Raila Odinga was using it to launch his presidential bid.

 

The MPs, led by Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi, said the CORD coalition was bent on putting the country in a perpetual election campaign mode after it was defeated two years ago. They described the changes proposed in appointing the Chief Justice, judges and electoral commissioners as contradictory and self serving.

The MPs were speaking during a thanksgiving ceremony of Meru Woman Representative Florence Kajuju at Consolata Primary School in Meru.

The ceremony was attended by Deputy President William Ruto who asked leaders to desist from dividing Kenyans on tribal lines. He asked parties allied to Jubilee to join the the alliance so that they can  propagate the same ideals.

Murungi and MPs Mithika Linturi, Moses Kuria, Alice Ng'ang'a, Winnie Njuguna, Kigo Njenga, Wanjiku Muihia, Kubai Iringo, David Were, Stephen Manoti, Mary Seneta and Abdul Rahim Dawood said the proposed changes to the constitution were meant to benefit one individual.

Murungi said the government cannot be shaken by the referendum calls as it was steadfast under President Uhuru Kenyatta. The senator said  Raila was scheming for the 2017 elections and the referendum calls were merely a ploy.

“Every time two years to the election, he always calls for a referendum...that is his game as usual as he prepares for elections,” the senator said. Mr Murungi, however, said Kenyans would not be duped by Raila’s schemes. He said the so-called referendum question will be answered in 2017 and President Kenyatta will be re-elected.

“The referendum question will be answered by the electorate in 2017, which will give the current Jubilee Government another term,” he added. Governor Peter Munya, who also attended the event, said he fully backed the Government.

The MPs said although they did not fear elections, the country cannot be politicking from election to election.They wondered how the same leaders who supported the Constitution in 2010 and its provisions led by the former Prime Minister were now turning around and want to mutilate it. “They now want political parties to handpick commissioners to the electoral commission when the law is very clear on how the commissioners should be picked,” said Ms Ng’ang’a

The Meru governor said the county government respects the national government and wants to work harmoniously. He asked MPs to back a proposal by the Senate to increase county funding by Sh7 billion.

Ruto praised Meru leaders for settling their differences and working together. He said the Government will improve security, education and health facilities in the country.

The Deputy President asked Kenyans to shun tribalism and embrace respect and tolerance in order to realise peace and national cohesion.

He said Kenyans should uphold peace and harmony and guard against political hatred that could undermine development.

Earlier, Ruto had delivered the same message while addressing wananchi at Marsabit stadium during the Saku educational fund.

Ruto asked communities in the area to discard practices which could divide them along clan lines and work together to promote  development in the area. “Say No to what will separate you because of politics. Let us stay in harmony as people of one country with a common agenda of moulding a prosperous peaceful nation,” he said. “We cannot build a united nation if we engage in politics driven by ethnicity and tribalism,” he said.

The Deputy President said Kenya had  great potential of becoming one of the leading African economies if the country is stable and peaceful. He urged leaders from areas that recently witnessed incidences of insecurity to be at the forefront in preaching peace and uniting all communities in their counties.