CORD and Jubilee MPs unite to resolve IEBC row

Ugenya MP David Ochieng (centre) and Mukurwe-ini’s Kabando Wa Kabando (second left) address the Press after a meeting of over 40 MPs from Jubilee and CORD in Nairobi yesterday. [PHOTO: MOSES OMUSULA/STANDARD]

The intrigues surrounding electoral reforms have taken a new twist after a group of 47 MPs formed a parallel parliamentary initiative to spearhead the process.

The MPs from across the political divide yesterday met at a Nairobi hotel to undertake a different initiative from that spearheaded by the National Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs Committee that has been driving the effort in the House.

The caucus convened by David Ochieng (Ugenya) and Kabando Wa Kabando (Mukurwe-ini) said the MPs intend to provide a platform for the changes that have placed the ruling Jubilee coalition and the Opposition at loggerheads.

The team will also form a mechanism for receiving views from various stakeholders including political parties and develop a comprehensive legal and legislative framework 'to guide the country towards a peaceful and credible election. This is one of the tasks that the Chepkonga-led committee had sought when it wrote to National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi seeking permission to form a joint committee with the Senate committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Ochieng, however, said the new initiative intends to work with the Justice committee to solve the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) dispute that has seen Opposition supporters hold protests.
"We agreed to form a bi-partisan parliamentary caucus on electoral reforms to commence and fast-track negotiations and dialogue to get legal reforms that would lead to credible elections..." read the caucus statement.

The MPs refused to take questions soon after the five-hour meeting.

The Opposition is pushing for the replacement of IEBC commissioners, claiming they lack the ability to conduct free and fair polls next year. The coalition has rejected a parliamentary process, instead favouring round table negotiations that will involve stakeholders such as the civil society and religious leaders.

But the caucus said any form of dialogue would ultimately end up in the House, asking leaders to put the interests of the county first in resolving the stalemate.

No key party leader from across the political divide attended the meeting.

Contacted for comment, Majority Leader Aden Duale (Garissa Town) said he was yet to get a briefing on the meeting. He was, however, skeptical on the new initiative's legal footing.
"I am yet to receive a brief on the meeting but  do not see on what grounds such a cause will be standing. I fully support a parliamentary process and it is the Chepkonga led-committee that has the legal binding. When you form a caucus, you are not recognised by Parliament and cannot bring legislation," he said.

Chepkonga also dismissed the caucus as lacking structures.