CORD chiefs to meet allies over IEBC

Opposition chiefs and their allies are today expected to solve disquiet over a recent report on electoral reforms.

Some have accused the team that represented CORD in the Joint Parliamentary Select Committee, co-chaired by Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi and Siaya’s James Orengo, of ceding too much ground.

And today, co-principals Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula will meet at Ufungamano House where they hope to get a common stand on the report before it is tabled in Parliament for debate.

A source said some of the issues CORD members are unhappy with is registration of voters which the committee agreed should be subjected to an international forensic audit.

CORD had insisted there must be a clean voters register before the next General Election to guarantee free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

“Some members feel those who represented CORD ceded so much ground to Jubilee. The issue of voters register and allowing President Uhuru Kenyatta to pick the chairman of the new electoral agency are causing unease,” said the source.

But ODM Chairman John Mbadi (Suba) said today’s meeting has been organised to take members through details of the report on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

“Members will also be taken through the draft bills so that when they are brought to the floor of the house, they can debate from an informed position,” said Mr Mbadi.

He said those unhappy with sections of the report would be given a chance to air their views but denied that it was part of the agenda.

Head of CORD secretariat Norman Magaya said members will also be taken through the party’s planned activities in the run-up to 2017 elections.

Close ally

Governors, senators, MPs and woman representatives are also expected to attend the special meeting.

However, Mr Magaya denied claims of disquiet in CORD saying: “If there was disquiet, CORD leaders would have been the first ones to point it out since they endorsed the select team.”

Mr Orengo, a close ally of Raila’s, defended the report saying the proposed reforms are progressive and will ensure there is no rigging in future.

Orengo referred to members unhappy with the report as hypocrites. “The sun will rise and set while you are still locked in the darkness of cynicism and skepticism,” he said.

Wiper Secretary General Omar Hassan said the meeting would seek to build consensus ahead of the debate. “Preparedness for the election will also feature prominently at the Ufungamano meeting,” he added.