DP William Ruto: Opposition should be sincere in calls for electoral reforms

 

Deputy President William Ruto. The DP and a section of Jubilee leaders have asked Opposition leaders to be sincere in their calls for electoral reforms. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

Jubilee leaders led by Deputy President William Ruto have asked Opposition leaders to be sincere in their calls for electoral reforms.
 
The leaders said the Government has agreed to calls by the Opposition for dialogue and wondered why they are now changing positions by giving fresh conditions on how the dialogue should be done.
 
The legislators who were with the Deputy President included Kiraitu Murungi  (Meru Senator), Mintika Linturi (Igembe South), Rahim Dawood (Imenti North), Florence Kajuju (Women Rep), Muthomi Njuki (Chuka-Igambangombe), David Kariithi (Tigania West), Mburi Apuri (Tigania East), Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Gideon Mwiti (Imenti Central), Kubai Kiringo (Imenti Central) and Joseph M’eruaki (Igembe North).
 
Speaking at Mulathankari Girls Secondary School in Imenti North Constituency, Meru County on Saturday, the leaders said their Opposition colleagues were after ‘something else’ and not electoral reforms.
 
“Our friends in the Opposition wanted dialogue and as Government we agreed to dialogue. They wanted us to speak on issues of IEBC and we have agreed. Now they are giving us fresh conditions. What is their problem?” asked Mr Ruto.
 
They said it is unbelievable that leaders who played a key role in passing the current Constitution are the same ones who want business to be done in contravention of the same laws.
 
“They had warned us not to change even a comma in the Constitution. They are now confused and want us to do business outside the parameters of the same laws they helped put in place,” said Mr Apuri.
 
They said the Opposition leaders want to return Kenyans to what happened in the Bomas during the days of the Constitution making process an indication that their calls for electoral reforms are not sincere since they are calling for reform outside the provisions of the constitution.
 
The legislators maintained that Parliament was the body mandated by the Constitution to solve issues pertaining to IEBC.
 
The MPs took issue with CORD leadership accusing it of reneging on their promise to protect the Constitution.
 
They said the Opposition led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was not sincere in their calls for reforms at the IEBC.
 
“The Opposition wants to join the Government through the back door if you do not know. It is not anything to do with reforming IEBC,” said Mr. Kuria.
 
Mr Kuria said the Opposition came up with allegations of Eurobond and insecurity against the Government but when its mission failed, it is now trying its luck in the name of IEBC reforms.
 
Mr Kiraitu thanked Jubilee for giving him the opportunity to chair the 11-member team that will spearhead talks with CORD.
 
“We are ready to negotiate with our CORD counterparts on the issue of IEBC once they are ready,” said Mr. Kiraitu.
 
Mr Apuri and Ms Kajuju said it is only Parliament that was well placed to solve the IEBC stalemate urging the Opposition to respect institutions established under the Constitution.
 
“If the Opposition has no faith in Parliament, then it means it has no respect among Kenyans who elected the MPs including its own legislators,” said Ms Kajuju.
 
The leaders at the same time told CORD to stop tormenting the country through chaotic demonstrations adding that the country was losing up to Sh 2billion every week in terms of businesses during the protests.
 
They wondered why the Opposition leaders could not be shaken by loss of lives and property during their recent demonstrations over IEBC matters.
 
“How can they be trusted to lead Kenyans if they are not shaken by their protests which end up in loss of lives and property?’ posed Mr Kuria.
 
The Deputy President said there was no difference between the Alshabab terrorist organizations with CORD because destruction of property and loss of lives during their attacks and protests respectively were the end results.
 
Mr. Ruto also disclosed that seven political parties have come together under the newly formed Jubilee Party that will soon be launched.
 
 “We are serious in our determination to unite Kenyans through formation of Jubilee Party that will accommodate all the country’s different ethnic communities,” said Mr Ruto.
 
He said tribalism will still be the order of the day if leaders continue to align themselves along the TNA, URP, Bus party (APK) lines among other political parties.
 
Mr Kiraitu who is among those charged with the responsibility of spearheading the process of merging all the Jubilee affiliate parties said the exercise was almost complete.
 
“There will be no URP, TNA or APK parties come the next election because we have brought all our affiliate parties under the Jubilee Party,” said Mr Kiraitu.
 
The MPs said residents in Mt Kenya region will rally behind the Deputy President to take over the country’s leadership when President Uhuru Kenyatta’s term comes to an end in 2022.
 
Mr Apuri said the Ameru community has faith in the leadership of Jubilee saying they will back Ruto for presidency come 2022.
 
Cabinet Secretaries Jacob Kaimenyi (Lands), Joe Mucheru (ICT) and Judy Wakhungu (Environment) were also present.