The Jubilee Government and the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) may be headed for a clash after some Rift Valley Governors said they will not allow Opposition rallies scheduled for the region.
Although CORD enjoys constitutional backing to gather and address its supporters on the push for a national dialogue in the region, they say the meetings are unnecessary and might spark ethnic animosity.
Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua and his Uasin Gishu counterpart Jackson Mandago have expressed strong opposition to the rallies being held in their counties.
Mandago has since rescinded his position to ban the rallies after Opposition leaders in Uasin Gishu termed his decision naïve and demanded that he adheres to his constitutional obligations.
“We will not bar the planned rally if those behind it have no ill intentions for the region. They are free to hold rallies here and anywhere in the country so long as they are in line with the law,” said Manadago.
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But 11 MPs from Nakuru County, including ODM’s Samuel Arama (Nakuru West), say the rallies may cause tension in the region that witnessed some of the worst cases of violence following the disputed 2007 general election.
Arama, who has broken ranks with CORD leader Raila Odinga over the calls for mass action, said: “No one has contacted me about the rally despite the fact that I’m the only elected opposition MP in the county. The rally seems to be an affair of people from one community who are busy running around organising to receive the CORD leaders.”
CORD has planned 13 political rallies across the country to pressure the government to dialogue on key national issues, ranging from insecurity to the future of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The Opposition claims IEBC bungled last year’s polls.
The series of rallies will culminate in a major meeting on Saba Saba Day (July 7) at Kamkunji grounds in Nairobi.
Three rallies will be held in Nakuru, Narok and Eldoret. Raila has hinted that another rally might be held in Kericho County.
But Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri believes the situation in Nakuru is fragile and any reckless utterances from CORD leaders might lead to chaos. This, he warns, may reverse the gains realised in reconciling local communities.
“Church leaders, the government and NGOs have invested a lot in peace initiatives and reconciliation efforts since the 2007 post-election violence and CORD leaders must understand that Nakuru is sensitive to the negative ethnicity being preached in their rallies,” said Ngunjiri.
But his Molo counterpart Jacob Macharia is of the opinion that the Opposition be allowed to hold the rallies.
“I do not have a problem… it is their right. But Raila, Kalonzo and Wetang’ula must be prepared for the consequences of inciting tribes against each other,” said Macharia.
Naivasha MP John Kihagi supported Governor Mbugua’s sentiments that residents should ignore CORD’s meetings, terming it a waste of time. Kihagi said Nakuru County has been peaceful since President Kenyatta and Deputy William Ruto started reconciling previously warring communities in the region.
Some Members of the County Assemblies in Nakuru and Nyandarua counties are also opposed to the CORD rally. They said leaders from across the political divide should focus on developing the country.
Nakuru County Assembly Majority Leader Njenga Mwaura urged the President to ignore the CORD leaders and concentrate on delivering Jubilee’s pledges. During a press conference attended by 20 MCAs, Mwaura said they would not allow any rally by the Opposition in the town.
Last week, Nandi County Deputy Governor Dominick Biwott also warned t they would not tolerate CORD rallies. Biwott however withdrew, saying it was not his duty to bar meetings. He insisted CORD’s rallies are irrelevant to national building.
