Jubilee refuses calls for national dialogue

MPs allied to the Jubilee Coalition have turned down calls by CORD for a national dialogue conference to address problems currently facing the nation. They have instead opted to discuss the issues within the national assemblies.  They asked the opposition to table pertinent issues that could be of national importance in the national assembly for discussion.

Jubilee’s Parliamentary Group meeting which was chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, also warned CORD leaders, Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka against issuing ultimatums to the government.

Mr Kenyatta also agreed with the Jubilee MPs that issues of national importance could be handled by institutions such as Parliament and constitutional commissions. He however added that he had no problem meeting CORD leaders to discuss issues as old friends.

Jubilee MPs were however adamant that they would not participate in discussions to disbandment of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) with one MP stating that they did not want anything to do with such a motion.

During the meeting, Jubilee leaders also persuaded Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi to drop a motion to impeach Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru with the President and his deputy arguing that such a motion could be a nightmare for an individual. The two also added that majority of the Cabinet secretaries may not know how to relate with MPs and other elected leaders as they had not been politicians themselves.

The President and Ruto said that the motion would undermine the power sharing arrangement crafted by the coalition partners.

Mr Linturi however refused to back down and told the gathering that his motion had the backing of MPs and was not driven by ill will. He however complained over protests against him in Igembe South which appear to have external influence.

Addressing reporters after the meeting, Mr Linturi said he had in fact gathered more signatures in support of his motion and he would let the rest of the House decide whether to remove Ms Waiguru from office or not.

“We’re living in a democratic society so that is their opinion and that is their wish. My wish is different. It is that any motion can be won or lost on the floor of the House,” said Mr Linturi. “I am not yet convinced. I expected there to be serious dialogue. To have serious convincing reasons why this motion should not be brought but I am wondering what is so special with Madam Waiguru.”

Meanwhile, CORD leaders have stated that the dialogue they called for is intended to find lasting solutions to problems currently plaguing Kenyans. They also criticized the Jubilee administration for shunning western countries saying that their association with the East was only sinking the country into more debts.

They also said that the foundation of Kenya’s foreign policy at the time of independence was non-alignment and steered clear of the West versus East groupings.

"During Kibaki’s time, we only enhanced the relations with the East and maintained good relations with the West. In military terms, you cede territory to conquer more territory; you consolidate both. The difference is that Jubilee shut the door to the West and turned to the East where they are sinking the country in more debt. The East does not give grants, only loans," said Mr Wetangula.