Push on referendum agenda, Raila Odinga urges MPs

Kenya; Even as his chief rival President Uhuru Kenyatta was putting on an explicit show of might with his supporters in Nairobi, former Prime Minister and CORD leader Raila Odinga urged Opposition MPs to press on with grassroots campaigns for a referendum.

Raila is on a tour to deliver public lectures in the United States of America that began at Yale University, where he met and addressed African students.

At the highly regarded Ivy League campus, Raila delivered a lecture at a Coca Cola World Fund function organised by the university's MacMillan Centre on Africa as the next frontier of global economy.

But it is not only Raila among the top Okoa Kenya members who is currently abroad. His CORD co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka has been in South Africa and returns tomorrow. Bungoma Senator  Moses Wetang'ula, also a CORD co-principal, is also away in Cameroon until tomorrow and ODM's Anyang' Nyong'o is in California in the US.

The Okoa Kenya brigade led by lawyer Paul Mwangi were busy fine-tuning activities to keep the Opposition politicians busy on referendum drive.

"We have lined up a series of events that will focus us on this referendum drive and the (Okoa Kenya) Secretariat will deliver a detailed programme even with Mr Raila away," he told The Standard.

The threshold required to amend the Constitution is securing one million signatures of registered voters.

"In 30 days, we will announce the signatures tally and we want to comply with requirements as spelt out in law," said Mr Mwangi.

Draft Bill

He said the process was going on well and the Secretariat would ensure the numbers match what the law requires before delivering a draft Bill to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Legislators allied to CORD said they had been tasked with taking the referendum campaigns to the grassroots, a mission they said is on course.

Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang said the absence of Raila does not affect the momentum of the push, since the plebiscite is still at a tender stage.

"The most important thing is the collection of signatures, which is continuing all over the country. We have mobilised support up to the ward level," he said.

Mr Kajwang said the exercise would continue for another month before the Okoa Kenya movement hits the road to drum up support for the vote.

He said educating voters on referendum issues was ongoing, with politicians using every platform to sell the idea to the electorate. But he could not deny the fact that CORD will miss Raila, who is known for his ability to move masses in the coalition's campaign.

"Raila remains our special asset and usually his presence is a morale booster to all of us," said Kajwang'.

Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabbir said the referendum was a people's affair "and is not a Raila-related issue".

"This is a people-driven initiative. Raila, like others, is only a representative of the people," he said.

According to the legislator, Kenyans had decided and whether Raila is present or not will not change their minds.

"Those who see the need for a referendum will eventually vote for it and the situation cannot change even if Raila is out of the country," he added.

His Rarieda counterpart Nicholas Gumbo said the referendum wheels are well oiled and will turn even in Raila's absence.

He said the perception that things can only happen in CORD when the former PM is present is wrong and urged fellow legislators to take charge.

"We must show that we can push forward and sell an idea even in his absence. Raila has already shown us the way. We must ensure we deliver," he said.

Support initiative

Saying he had launched the signature collection drive in his constituency, the legislator said he visits the area during weekends to drum up support for the initiative.

Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga said the signature collection was ongoing in nearly all the constituencies and the process was on course.

"Kenyans have known why we need a referendum and as MPs from this region, we have traversed all parts of Nyanza and urged our people to support the push," he said.

The youthful MPs in the area, including Ken Obura (Kisumu Central), Agostino Neto (Ndhiwa), George Oner (Rangwe), Jared Kopiyo (Awendo) and David Ochieng (Ugenya) and Sylvance Osele (Kabondo Kasipul) have formed a team to  drum up support for the Okoa Kenya initiative.