Human rights groups call for talks to ‘ease tension’

The ruling coalition and the Opposition have been asked to put aside their differences and hold national dialogue.

Human rights lobby groups said the current stalemate was threatening the country’s tranquillity.

Through the Haki Africa executive director Hussein Khaled, the civil society said it was disappointed by the way the Cord and Jubilee were trading accusations in relation to the national unity agenda.

“While we thank both Cord and Jubilee for accepting the general principle of dialogue, we are saddened by the fact that they are each putting unnecessary hurdles towards the same,” he added.

Hard-line stance emerged from both the Jubilee and their Cord counterparts after the latter brigades demanded national dialogue during the homecoming function of Cord leader Raila Odinga last week.

In their demands, the Cord principals gave an ultimatum of July 7 — dubbed Saba Saba Day — before placing their priorities one of them being the Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission’s disbandment.

COUNRTY BEFORE EGO

Speaking during the Madaraka Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium a day later, President Uhuru Kenyatta welcomed their gesture but criticised the caveats put in place for the “talks”.

But on meeting Jubilee National Assembly and Senate members at State House, the President and his deputy William Ruto told their rivals to use the existing institutions to air their grievances.

Sunday, in a statement, Mr Khalid reminded the leaders from both sides of the political divide that Kenya was bigger than any individual or political party.

“We must put the country first and not personal egos and pride, lest we end up in a situation similar to the 2007 post-election violence,” he warned.

According to him, it was wrong for political leaders to put their personal interests before the interests of 40 million Kenyans.

He called on the Cord and Jubilee luminaries to put aside their differences and support national dialogue.

“As an organisation that expects to be fully involved in the dialogue, we call on the President and the former Prime Minister to marshal their troops and ensure they all support dialogue in total,” he added.

The director took a swipe at the political class for not considering the plight of the citizens who were suffering from increased insecurity, unemployment, high cost of living and poor health.

But Sunday, TNA activist, Moses Kuria warned Cord leader Raila Odinga against holding a rally in Kiambu County. He said the Cord was not after dialogue but an “Egyptian-type revolution.”

“I want to tell Raila in no uncertain terms that is not welcome to Kiambu,” he said.

If the message he is bringing here is about mass action and creating chaos in this country we are going to ensure that he does not step anywhere in the county,” he said.

If he is coming for peaceful activities, that is another thing, but he has stated that he is on a mission to overthrow the government and as Kiambu people we cannot allow that to happen,” he said.

TNA man warns Cord

Mr Moses Kuria, a vocal and controversial political activist and defender of President Uhuru said Jubilee will counter a planned Cord rallies “man by man, street by street and mass action by mass action”.

“Let these people not think we are cowards just because we love peace. Instead of saying you will unleash violence on Saba Saba Day, bring it on even now.”

Mr Kuria dismissed demands for talks by the opposition as irrelevant. “They want to engage in endless talks instead of serving the people,” he told journalists in Ruiru.

Mr. Kuria said if the Director of Public Prosecution to charge with treason Cord politicians who have declared in public rallies that they want to oust the government or he would personally initiate private prosecution against them.

Mr Moses Kuria, a vocal and controversial political activist and defender of President Uhuru said Jubilee will counter a planned Cord rallies “man by man, street by street and mass action by mass action”.

“Let these people not think we are cowards just because we love peace. Instead of saying you will unleash violence on Saba Saba Day, bring it even now,” he said.

 Mr Kuria dismissed demands for talks by the opposition as irrelevant. “They want to engage in endless talks instead of serving the people,” he told journalists in Ruiru.

Additional reporting by Oliver Musembi