Cord calls on government to rise above threats and engage in talks

Cord leader Raila Odinga said on Saturday an order to have nine lawmakers summoned for investigation of hate speech was a ploy by the government to intimidate and silence the Opposition.

Mr Odinga, who spoke at a rally at Muliro Gardens in Kakamega, said Cord leaders were determined to press ahead with the planned Saba Saba rally should the government fail to heed their call for national dialogue.

“Cord is not out to make the Jubilee administration fail, but ensure government is accountable to Kenyans,” he said.

He said intimidation of the Opposition by the government would not solve the problems facing the country.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Keriako Tobiko, on Friday ordered that nine Cord politicians Senators James Orengo, Johnstone Muthama, Hassan Omar, Elizabeth Ongoro and MPs Jakoyo Midiwo and Simba Arati be investigated for peddling hate speech.

“I’m even informed Mr George Aladwa (former Nairobi Mayor) was arrested today (Saturday). Such tactics by the government will only erode its credibility and plunge the country into the dark days,” Mr Odinga said.

Mr Aladwa was picked up by detectives from his home yesterday and taken to Central Police Station for questioning.

On Friday, ODM’s Anyang’ Nyong’o criticised a statement attributed to Mr Aladwa to the effect that Mr Odinga would be sworn in if there is no dialogue as demanded by Cord. “Dialogue is not about the acquisition of political power. It is about solving urgent problems facing our nation. ODM leaders are urged to desist from making alarmist statements that may undermine our noble mission,” Prof Nyong’o said on Friday.

WON'T BE COWED

Mr Tobiko has also ordered the investigation of nine TNA politicians over hate speech. They include MPs Kareke Mbiuki (Maara), Francis Waititu (Juja), Chege Njoroge (Kasarani), Ben Mutura (Makadara), Richard Tong’i (Nyaribari Chache), Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu), George Theuri (Embakasi West), Maina Kamanda (Starehe) and Othaya’s Mary Wambui.

On Saturday, Mr Odinga declared that Cord leaders would not be cowed by threats and intimidation to drop their demands for a national dialogue to deal with insecurity, negative ethnicity and corruption to save the country from divisions.

Mr Odinga, who was accompanied by Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Senators Moses Wetang’ula (Bungoma) and James Orengo (Siaya), described President Uhuru Kenyatta as his younger brother and said he would not watch as his administration faltered due to bad leadership.

“We in Cord stand for the truth, and when we tell Kenyans what is on our minds they (government) say we are preaching hate speech, but that is not true.”

Senators Wetang’ula and Orengo said that Mr Tobiko’s earlier order to have nine Cord politicians investigated for hate speech was unacceptable.

Mr Wetang’ula said there was a clear plan to intimidate and silence critics of the government by coming up with trumped-up charges on hate speech.

“The Jubilee administration should understand the difference between free speech, fair comment and hate speech and stop unnecessary intimidation and harassment of Opposition lawmakers,” said Mr Wetang’ula.

He said Cord leaders would not be cowed into silence for pointing out the mistakes of the government.

Mr Orengo said he did not fear arrest as long as he spoke the truth and fought for the rights of ordinary Kenyans.

But speaking separately in Vihiga, Governor Moses Akaranga asked Jubilee and Cord politicians to refrain from making inflammatory statements that jeopardise the country’s security. Mr Akaranga said it was sad that leaders from both coalitions were intolerant and had resorted to hate speech.

He asked President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga to tame their foot soldiers for the sake of the unity of the country.

PROSECUTE INCITERS

“This is the time leaders should unite and find a lasting solution and not engage in public outbursts that threaten unity and peace,” said Mr Akaranga.
He said that leaders who perpetuate hate speech should face the law irrespective of their positions in the society.

“Security personnel should be on the lookout and deal firmly with those using public rallies or any other forum to incite and divide Kenyans,” said the governor.

The governor reiterated that county chiefs were ready to work with national security organs to ensure the safety of citizens.