CORD leaders seek dialogue with Jubilee over IEBC saga

Ford Kenya Bungoma County Chairman Wafula Wamunyinyi, Likuyani MP Enock Kibungunchy, Cord Principal Moses Wetang'ula and Kakamega County Senator Dr. Boni Khalwale arrive for a rally at Kongoni trading centre in Likuyani on April 29, 2016. Kibungunchy declared to vie 2017elections on Ford Kenya ticket. [Photo:BENJAMIN SAKWA/Standard]

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) now wants the government to dialogue with opposition leaders over the fate of the electoral commission.

Senate Minority leader Moses Wetang’ula, Senator Boni Khalwale and MPs Chris Wamalwa and Simiyu Eseli said the Jubilee government must consult CORD over new commissioners at the Independent, Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

“We must be part and parcel of the formation of the next electoral body as opposition leaders. CORD must be at the table when new commissioners are appointed. We cannot go to the next polls with the same referee,” said Wetang’ula.

Speaking in Likuyani constituency yesterday, the Ford Kenya leader asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to drop his hardline stance on the issue and vowed that the opposition will not relent its push to kick out the IEBC commissioners.

“The honourable thing is for the IEBC commissioners to resign or they will be forced out of office. We will not accept reconstitution of the IEBC without our participation,’’ he said.

Khalwale said the country needs a political solution to the IEBC issue and urged the government to dialogue with the opposition.

“Dialogue is key because we are all players in election matters. CORD and Jubilee must sit together and deliberate on the new commissioners,” said Khalwale.

Eseli, the Ford Kenya secretary general, said Kenyans desire a commission that has credibility.

Wamalwa said although the law allows the President to constitute a new tribunal, the opposition may not get a fair deal because Uhuru Kenyatta is an interested party.

“The law gives him the mandate to form a tribunal but we will not allow that to happen. President Kenyatta is a player. All stakeholders from churches, politicians and professionals must be involved this time round,” said the Kiminini MP.

Ford Kenya got a boost during the function when area MP Enock Kibunguchi declared that he had joined the party from from ODM.

Meanwhile, ODM leaders have hit out at the government for using the police to disperse them during Monday’s demonstration.

Speaking in Butere constituency during the burial of Nairobi ODM Youth leader Steve Mukabane, Deputy Party Leader Wycliffe Oparanya and Secretary General Ababu Namwamba called for sobriety in tackling the IEBC issue.

“Picketing is a constitutional right that must be observed and security must be guaranteed. The government’s decision to withdraw security from CORD leaders who want picket is out of order,” said Oparanya.

Namwamba told off five Jubilee MPs who have petitioned the High Court to outlaw CORD’s planned demos.

“I didn’t know that there were MPs so ignorant of the laws. Which MP doesn’t know that picketing is a constitutional right?” he asked.

— Additional reporting by Robert Amalemba