Cord chief renews push for referendum

Cord principal Raila Odinga on Sunday renewed his push for a referendum as the Opposition asked Deputy President William Ruto to step aside over corruption allegations.

Mr Odinga said the Jubilee administration had failed to live up to the aspirations of Kenyans and could no longer be trusted to distribute resources equitably.

“Runaway corruption, tribalism in public appointments and skewed distribution of resources has now become the hallmark of this government,” he said.

Speaking at Kehancha in Kuria West sub-county, Migori, Mr Odinga said ODM would push for amendments to the NHIF law so that deductions are based on net pay and not gross salary.

The former Prime Minister told Kenyans to be more vigilant in the wake of increasing cases of corruption in the Uhuru administration.

“Since we are the watchdogs of your resources, the referendum vote is seeking to ensure that Nairobi (the seat of the national government), does not retain everything. We have proposed that 45 per cent of the national budget goes to the counties,” said Mr Odinga.

STEP ASIDE

ODM Chairman John Mbadi dared the Head of State to prevail upon his deputy to step aside to demonstrate his fidelity to the fight against corruption in his government.

“The day President Kenyatta will tell his deputy to step aside, is the day we shall confirm his commitment in the war on graft.

“The DP is free to build hotels, but we have a problem when he is doing that on public land. Just like other public officers, he must step aside to be investigated,” said the Suba MP.

Mr Mbadi further accused the Head of State and his deputy of perpetuating tribalism and inequality through skewed public appointments that only favoured two tribes.

For his part, Mr Odinga said the National Youth Service scandal needed to be thoroughly investigated but only after Devolution Secretary Ann Waiguru had stepped aside.

“We want to know how public money has been lost through this outfit, which has now been reduced to a conduit for siphoning public funds,” said the Cord boss.

He reiterated his call to the government to pay teachers the new salaries as ordered by the Industrial Court.

“Look for money to pay our struggling teachers instead of wasting time in court seeking to overturn the ruling. Our teachers deserve decent livelihoods,” said Mr Odinga.

The former PM also appealed to the youth to apply for identity cards and register in large numbers as voters head to the 2017 elections.

“Without the IDs, you cannot access the Youth Enterprise Fund and the Women Enterprise Fund. You cannot also vote. Please go out and register in large numbers,” he said.

Governor Okoth Obado, Senator Wilfred Machage and MPs Jared Kopiyo Kopiyo (Awendo), John Kobado (Uriri), Joseph Ndiege (Suna West) and Migori Woman Representative Denittah Ghati vowed to mobilise residents to get IDs.

At the same time, former Westlands MP Fred Gumo now says Cord should support the government in the war against corruption.

Speaking in Nairobi on Sunday, Mr Gumo said the coalition should help find solutions instead of throwing stones.

“This is the time to work together to fight insecurity problems and other issues that are facing this country. I am calling on my colleagues in Cord to come together so that we can win this war. The Presidency should be strengthened,” he said.