CORD leader Raila Odinga wants IEBC to release Okoa Kenya Bill in three days

CORD leader Raila Odinga with luo elders during the funeral of Michael Odotti in Nyando, Kisumu County yesterday. [PHOTO: COLLINS ODUOR/STANDARD]

CORD has asked the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to produce the Okoa Kenya Bill in three days. The coalition members led by leader Raila Odinga threatened to take unspecified measures should the electoral body fail to meet the deadline.

“We have given IEBC up to Tuesday to give us the final report on the Okoa Kenya initiative. We are going to their offices on February 11 to receive the report. If we do not get it, we know what we will do but we do not want to reveal it now,” said Raila.

Speaking at Boya Primary School in Ahero, Kisumu County during the burial of Luo Council of Elders Vice Chairman Michael Odotte Kojiem, the Opposition leader accused the Commission of violating the Constitution.

“CORD presented signatures to IEBC on November 9 last year. Under the law, the Commission has 90 days to verify signatures and submit the Bill to county assemblies,” he said.

The former PM said the Okoa Kenya Bill is key to reforms. “Okoa Kenya initiative is to help us have a referendum that will help rectify the many wrongs committed by the Jubilee coalition. The Government is keen on killing devolution and other constitutional organs. Okoa Kenya is our only saviour,” Raila said.

He called on Kenyans to defend the Constitution, adding that it was attained after many lives were lost and every citizen has a right to protect it.

He called on his supporters to turn up in large numbers and register during the mass voter registration slated for this month.

“I only lacked 8,000 votes to go for a presidential re-run where I could have beaten Jubilee hands down. Go out and register in big numbers so that you vote for me next year,” Raila said.

Other leaders who spoke at the funeral service called for reforms at the IEBC, review of CORD’s presidential petition and urged their supporters to acquire national identity cards and register as voters. Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o said the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has made it easy for its supporters to register as voters.

“In our new party structure, 60 officials are elected at every polling station. The officials have been tasked to compile a report of those who do not have identity cards so that they are assisted to get them and register as voters,” Prof Nyong’o said.