The statement by the State House spokesperson Mr Manoah Esipisu that the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) had politicised the issue of ‘National Rebirth’ sounds juicier to the ears of Jubilee supporters, but a blatant lie to those who hold divergent views, majority of them, CORD supporters.
In his communication, Mr Esipisu said President Uhuru Kenyatta had initiated the idea of a National Rebirth Conference sometime in January this year and that it had been slated for next month (July).
He went ahead to state that this was part of Jubilee Administration’s manifesto to Kenyans as part of the Social Transformation Agenda.
There is nothing wrong with this. It is in order for the government of the day to come up with initiatives that would help boost the image of the nation, improve the lives of its citizens and transform the country from the current status to greater heights.
However, it is wrong for the government of the day to lie to the people.
The question many are asking is how come the CORD calls for the National Dialogue received so much coverage both on mainstream and social media when State House had similar plans under the table?
The truth of the matter is there was no such conference being organised by the Government. And if there was, then someone somewhere within State House is sleeping on the job.
To claim that CORD had politicised the matter leading to the cancellation of the conference is mere propaganda which is allowed in political circles anyway.
CORD mooted the issue of National Dialogue last month following cries from the public that things were not going the right way.
When the CORD leader Mr Raila Odinga arrived back from the US late last month, the opposition was in unison on the need to call on the government to initiate a national dialogue which will bring together all the players to talk and sort out the issues that are affecting mwananchi.
Such issues include Insecurity, Corruption, Nepotism in public appointments, a more independent and reliable Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) among other matters of national importance.
This was supposed to be a forum for all the stakeholders mainly CORD and Jubilee and other stakeholders in the national cohesion and unity of the nation.
Ideas were to be exchanged and agreements reached upon for the betterment of the common man who continues to suffer as the leadership keeps living in denial.
It is a fact that Kenya is deeply divided especially after the March 2013 General Election which the CORD leadership feels was manipulated and that the IEBC played ball to one side of the political divide as opposed to sticking to the proposals and recommendations by Justice Johanne Kreagler of South Africa.
To date, CORD and its supporters believe the current commissioners of the IEBC are not reliable and cannot be trusted with any other election particularly, presidential.
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It is however shocking to hear the President state that he welcomes the idea of the National Dialogue to discuss ‘issues’ only if, IEBC is not among them.
Then one would wonder why is he so over-defensive of the IEBC?
What good does he know about the IEBC as is currently constituted that others don’t know?
Back to Mr Esipisu’s communiqué, what was the main agenda of the so-called National Rebirth Conference? CORD has placed on the table the issues to be addressed which touch on the lives of Kenyans and building of a better and prosperous Kenya.
The National Dialogue agenda by CORD is direct and that which the Opposition believes can help unite an already divided and politically polarised nation.
The State House conference according to Mr Esipisu was to discuss social transformation for national development, the role of institutions in driving national social transformation and the role of political leaders in the attainment of national transformation.
If ever there was such a forum, it is good they cancelled it. Now let us focus on the most important NATIONAL DIALOGUE for National Salvation.
The writer is the Director of Communications – ODM
Twitter @Etalephil
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