Kidero differs with Cord leaders over dialogue

Nairobi governor Evans Kidero over the weekend differed with his party leader Raila Odinga when he said the rallies planned by Cord could destabilise the country and scare away investors.

The governor spoke as the debate over the national dialogue raged on with leaders opposing and supporting calls for the Saba Saba rallies in equal measure.

Speaking in Yimbo Village in Bondo during the burial of Mr Martin Okello Awuondo, Dr Kidero said he did not support the Cord public rallies, and appealed to opposition leaders to find other avenues of addressing issues plaguing the country.

“We should not be involved in activities that will affect the normal operations of the country,” he said.

Kidero's remarks however met with criticism from Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura who maintained that Cord rallies would continue unless President Kenyatta intervened and called for a national dialogue.

Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda echoed Obura's sentiments adding that Parliament was not an avenue for a national dialogue since only the views of elected members were accepted.

Dr Ochanda added that Cord desired a dialogue inclusive of religious leaders, humans rights  activist, business community and the public.

Adding his voice to the dialogue debate, TNA secretary-general Onyango Oloo and nominated Senator Joy Gwendo said the National Assembly and the Senate were better placed to handle issues raised by Cord.

“The National Alliance is not opposed to dialogue; but that dialogue must be done using the institutions within the Constitution,” said Mr Oloo, adding that Cord must not be allowed to take power through the back-door by engaging the Jubilee coalition in a shadowy push for dialogue.

Addressing youth and women leaders in Nyalenda Kisumu Town over the weekend, Ms Gwendo said that dialogue had to be through Parliament.

However, Busia Senator Amos Wako, Governor Sospeter Ojaamong, Funyula MP Paul Otuoma and his Matayos counterpart Geoffrey Odanga, renewed their calls to President Kenyatta to give national dialogue a chance.

Mr Otuoma made a passionate appeal to President Kenyatta to drop his hardline stance and embrace matters put forward by Cord and Mr Odinga for the sake of the unity and prosperity of the nation.

“We call on President Kenyatta to extend his hand to Mr Odinga so that we avoid these unnecessary confrontations which may end up dividing the country,” said Mr Otuoma.