Raila Odinga accuses Jubilee of plot to cling to power

SIAYA: Opposition leader Raila Odinga has accused the Government of resorting to unfair means to remain in power.

Raila said Jubilee had given false promises and is now seeking all means to cover up for their alleged shortcoming.

"They promised our children laptops, they promised to irrigate two million acres and create jobs for the youth, which are yet to be seen," he said in Ugunja yesterday.

Raila spoke ahead of today's first stop in Vihiga as part of his five-day campaign in western Kenya to stem the rebellion in ODM triggered by the resignation of party Secretary General Ababu Namwamba and Vice Chairperson Paul Otuoma. 

He said CORD had been re-energised and like the River Nile, it will sweep anything that impedes its success.

The leaders claimed that the Jubilee government was dishing out cash in briefcases in an attempt to win back support from members.

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"They can buy people, but won't buy their conscience," claimed ODM Chairman John Mbadi.

Separately, Mr Ababu dismissed reports that he was headed to the Jubilee coalition following his resignation.

Orange troubles

Ababu asked Deputy President William Ruto to stop taking advantage of what is happening in the Orange party to score political mileage.

"No one should salivate and covet the political opportunities created by our actions and resignation from ODM positions. If anyone expects to reap from the decisions my colleagues and I have taken, they are mistaken," said Ababu.

Yesterday, CORD leaders renewed threats to boycott next year's General Election should the ongoing dialogue on electoral reforms collapse.

They also demanded new voter listing, and appealed to their supporters to register as voters en mass.

The leaders warned against any attempt to rig next year's elections, saying they would seek other constitutional means to redress the problems.

Mr Mbadi sparked the debate when he claimed that the National Assembly's Justice and Legal Affairs Committee was trying to use unconstitutional means to delay electoral reforms.

"We are telling them that if they cannot speed up the electoral reforms process, then we will go back to the streets and this time, we will not stop protests until the ruling regime succumbs to the people's will," declared Mbadi.

"There's no rationale for participating in flawed elections, and this is why we insist on electoral reforms, which must be put in place to level the playing field before we join the race," said Raila.

ODM's acting Secretary General Agnes Zani said they would not accept skewed reforms.

Makadara MP Tom Kajwang' claimed that the Samuel Chepkonga-led parliamentary committee on IEBC reforms wanted to stage a constitutional coup to suit Jubilee's interests.

The leaders resolved to disrupt parliamentary proceedings if Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi's ban from House business was not rescinded by Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi.