Jubilee leaders now call for national dialogue

Politicians allied to the Jubilee coalition have called for a dialogue with elected leaders of the opposition in a bid to defuse political tension and stop the Saba Saba rally.

Jubilee coalition Senate Majority  Leader Kithure Kindiki said that he had called the Senate and National Assembly minority leaders together with National Assembly Majority Leader for a meeting next week. He said the meeting would come up with a consensus on how to stop the planned July 7 nationwide rallies.

Speaking in Chuka during the commissioning of a Sh300 million road upgrade on Friday, Prof Kithure said he was in touch with Mr Aden Duale, Mr Moses Wetang’ula and Mr Francis Nyenze.

The Tharaka Nithi senator said Jubilee leaders had advised President Uhuru Kenyatta to engage in talks with Cord leader Raila Odinga and any other former presidential hopefuls on ways of solving the problems facing the country.

“Dialogue should be through the National Assembly and Senate. House majority and minority leaders should be the ones to engage in talks. I have called the leaders and they have agreed that we meet next week,” said Prof Kithure.

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen criticised the Cord leader for saying it would rain hard on President Kenyatta on July 7. Mr Odinga is claimed to have said that on Friday when he held a rally at 64 Stadium in Eldoret.

Mr Murkomen said such remarks could reopen healing wounds in Uasin Gishu county which was one of the hardest hit places by the 2007/8 post-election violence.

Mr Murkomen said Mr Odinga should be on the forefront in ensuring peace prevailed in the country. He said the call for Saba Saba rallies had the potential to causeloss of lives and damage to property.

“Many in Cord are elderly leaders and they should be the ones guiding the youth on how to be better citizens. Jubilee is ready for talks provided they use the elected leaders,” said Mr Murkomen.

Tharaka Nithi Governor Samuel Ragwa said Cord rallies would not be allowed in the county.

Calls for holding the rallies were also criticised by MPs Muthomi Njuki (Chuka Igamba-Ng’ombe), Ms Beatrice Nkatha (Tharaka Nithi), Mr Charles Njagagua (Mbeere North), Mr Kanini Kega (Kieni) and Mr Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu).