Raila starts signature hunt as MCAs fail to reach deal

Cord leader Raila Odinga Saturday dismissed the Jubilee Government’s opposition to the referendum terming it a “cheap political gimmick”.

Mr Odinga said the four-year-old constitution was ripe for amendments, pointing out that it is only through the referendum that devolution will be strengthened.

“The issues we have picked will enhance equitable distribution of resources, jobs and wealth irrespective of one’s tribe, party or religion,” Mr Odinga said as he launched the campaign to collect a million signatures in Migori town. He had earlier conducted a fundraiser for the Kadika SDA church.

“Constitutions are usually amended the world over in between general elections and not during the national polls. This is the best time to make the changes to safeguard the gains achieved through devolution,” Mr Odinga said, adding that the majority of Kenyans supported the quest for a referendum.

“After the referendum, our counties will be getting over Sh800 billion annually instead of the current Sh226 billion. This is a very good thing that can only be opposed by dishonest and cowardly leaders,” he said.

The former PM took a swipe at the provincial administration, saying that President Uhuru Kenyatta has merely renamed it instead of “restructuring it to conform to the ideals of the constitution”.
The Cord leader clarified that he has never suggested that teachers be employed by the county administrations.

“My position is that Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC) will remain the employer of teachers, but they will be seconded to county governments  and remain transferable across the counties,” he said.

MORAL AUTHORITY

MPs Junet Mohmmed (Suna East), John Mbadi (Suba), John Kobado (Uriri) and the Homa Bay County Women’s Representative Gladys Wanga said President Kenyatta has lost the moral authority to talk about corruption until he “sheds light on the disappearance of Sh15 billion from the Office of the President last year”.

Mr Mohammed demanded that former powerful operatives Francis Kimemia and Mutea Iringo be compelled to disclose the truth.

In Nairobi, heavy winds disrupted the launch of the Okoa Kenya Movement at Embakasi Girls’ Secondary School.

Former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, area MP Ishrad Sumra and Minority Leader Francis Nyenze presided over the late afternoon launch.

“We cannot trust groups of people who will say they have tyranny of numbers in Parliament,” he said.

In Kitale, Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula launched the drive for the referendum (Okoa Kenya) signatures with calls on locals to prepare for the plebiscite.

The senator led MPs Chris Wamalwa (Kiminini) Eseli Simiyu (Tongareni) and Governor Patrick Khaemba in appending their signatures before locals joined the line.

The leaders said the country cannot realise the real gains of devolution if a law is not put in place to compel the government to increase allocation.
“All we want is to ensure that governors are empowered,” said Mr Wetang’ula.

However, Amani Coalition leaders were quick to dismiss the clamour for a referendum, saying the exercise would cost the country Sh8 billion.

UDF boss Musalia Mudavadi and New Ford Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa warned Kenyans against falling prey to tricks by the Cord coalition.

MCAS FAIL TO REACH DEAL ON REFERENDUM

Members of county assemblies Saturday failed to decide whether or not to support the push for a referendum.

Instead, they constituted a task force to explore the options and report back in a month. More than 1,500 elected and nominated MCAs from all over the country met at Bomas in Nairobi to chart a common ground on the hottest political issue of the day.

However, the discussion disintegrated into a Jubilee versus Cord contest, with representatives from both sides pushing their party agenda.

The debate started with presentations by a member from each county. Whereas those from Cord counties supported the referendum on grounds that it will entrech devolution and good governance, their Jubilee counterparts dismissed it as a ploy to grab power through the back door. They claimed that the Opposition and Governors Council were not sincere in the quest to amend the Constitution. 

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“Let the County Assemblies Forum engage the national government on the way forward, a referendum would do us no good at this time,” said Mr Andrew Mbithi from Meru amid cheers and jeers from the rival camps.

Similar sentiments were echoed by representatives from Nakuru, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Bomet and Nandi counties, all of which are allied to Jubilee.

On the other hand, members from Siaya, Kisumu, Kilifi, Migori and Turkana supported the “Okoa Kenya” campaign spearheaded by Cord leader Raila Odinga

ENTICE MEMBERS WITH GOODIES

Mr Abdi Osmam from Wajir County accused the government of trying to entice members with goodies to oppose the referendum. 

“We should not allow them to succeed, we are independent individuals capable of making our own decisions,” he said 
Kisumu Majority Leader Onyango Ong’ow said amending the Constitution would enable Kenyans to reap the benefits of devolution. 
“Kisumu says Yes to a referendum that will address issues affecting Kenyans,” he said.

Mr Robert Sirbai from Bomet — whose governor Isaac Rutto is the captain of the Pesa Mashinani referendum quest — said neither Cord nor the governors was motivated by national interest.  

Kilifi’s Teddy Mwambire called for change. “We have made up our minds and Okoa Kenya is the way to go,” he said. 
The stalemate led to the formation of a technical committee made up of members from all the counties. 

“Because of the foregoing, each of the 47 Assemblies will nominate one member to form a technical committee. The committee will meet next week to form another leaner committee of 15 members drawn from among themselves to chart the way forward,” chairman of the County Assemblies Forum Dr Nuh Abdi declared.

The committee is expected to submit its recommendations to the forum in a month. Only then will they decide which camp to support or sponsor a referendum question of their own. 

“The mood is that we do not want an antagonistic referendum in as much as there is a general agreement that certain issues that affect devolution must be looked into. The committee will advise us whether we will support the push or sponsor our own,” Dr Nuh said.

Kakamega’s Reuben Nyangweso said the reps were the real custodians of devolution and should lead the quest for change. 
“We need a referendum that originates from us but not that by governors or Cord,” he said.

Nakuru County speaker Susan Kihika asked the members to seize the moment.

“That we want more money sent to counties is not in contention, what we are saying is that we will not agree to be used by Cord or governors to rubberstamp their decisions. They should be told that we have come of age,” she said. 

Dr Nuh reminded the members of their role in safeguarding county funds. 

“You’re not being asked to oppose everything from the executive but remember you have an oversight role to play,” Dr Nuh said.

Jubilee and Cord are wooing the members s because the draft Bill containing the parts of the Constitution to be amended through popular initiative must be passed by at least 24 counties before it goes to Parliament. In other words, the campaign may as well be won or lost at this level.

Additional reporting by Aggrey Mutambo