CORD leader Raila Odinga addresses residents of Kondele in Kisumu Thursday during his first visit to Nyanza region after his return from USA. [PHOTO: COLLINS ODUOR/STANDARD]

Kisumu, Kenya: Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leader Raila Odinga has warned the Government that time was running out on their demand to convene a national dialogue.

Mr Odinga said the July 7 ultimatum issued by CORD for Government to convene the talks or “let the people decide” still stands.

The people, spearheaded by “Saba Saba Committees”, have been proposed by Odinga to lead a grand protest on July 7 if the Government fails to heed to the calls for dialogue.

Mobilise Kenyans

According to the former Prime Minister, the committees to be organised by the people in all villages across the country will mobilise Kenyans to speak against poor leadership which has plunged the country into problems.

“On July 7, all Kenyans will not go to work but will march in protest to demand for their rights,” said the ODM leader.

Odinga, who toured Kisumu ahead of a series of rallies across the country, said the public had shown the urge to live in peace and coexistence hence dialogue must be held.

“Kenyans want peace and our friends too pray for a prosperous Kenya hence we must come together and talk. It is not optional at all,” said Odinga.

The ODM leader, who was received by masses in Kisumu, said the rallies organised by the coalition across the country will continue as they are meant to seek the people’s opinions over the national dialogue.

Consultative meetings

He said the rallies are consultative meetings between the public and leaders across all divides on the issues facing the country and how to have them resolved amicably.

“When I came to the country from the United States, Kenyans spoke with one voice that they are facing a lot of problems hence they needed a way forward. The way forward I gave was dialogue and everybody accepted it,” Odinga told a crowd in Kondele.

He, however, took issue with a section of Jubilee leaders whom he said are sabotaging the proposed dialogue by politicising it.

The former premier said the planned rallies would continue as planned, starting from Migori today and climax on July 7 at the historical Kamukunji Grounds in Nairobi.

The scheduled 13 rallies across the country by CORD are meant to pile pressure on the Government to convene the national dialogue conference.

On Sunday, CORD leaders will be in Mombasa for a rally at the historic Tononoka grounds.