Hunt for Cord vote signatures starts Saturday
Former presidential candidate Martha Karua (left) chats with Cord leader Raila Odinga at Ufungamano House on August 13, 2014. Ms Karua Sunday said she supported the demand for a referendum being championed by Cord because it was her right to do so. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP |
What you need to know:
- On Wednesday, a number of TNA governors, who have been supporting a parallel bid for a referendum for more money to the counties, made an-about-turn and backed down.
- Their change of mind was after a lengthy meeting by party leaders that involved some county bosses.
- However, other governors, led by their Chairman, Isaac Ruto, vowed to soldier on. They insist that their referendum is not related to that of Cord’s.
Cord will Saturday morning launch a drive to collect more than a million signatures from Kenyans to support their bid for a referendum.
It is the first step in the winding legal journey, which the Opposition leaders believe will deliver amendments to the Constitution.
The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) leader, Raila Odinga, will launch the campaign in Migori County.
His co-principals Mr Kalonzo Musyoka will be in Nairobi’s Embakasi Constituency while Bungoma Senator, Moses Wetang’ula, will be in his political backyard.
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The former Prime Minister, Mr Odinga, said the search for signatures will not be restricted the Cord strongholds alone, but will be rolled out across the country.
“This is a Kenyan process and not just a Cord agenda.
“That is why the leadership of civil society and religious organisations are supporting us,” he told reporters during the opening of Okoa Kenya offices in Nairobi.
The quest for public approval signifies that Cord has listed the key issues that form the basis for the referendum.
The Opposition is pushing for six issues to be addressed and they include, demand for an increase in revenue and functions allocation to county governments, strengthening the role of the embattled National Land Commission, election reforms, provision for ethnic inclusivity and diversity as well as strengthening public institutions.
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Mr Odinga said Okoa Kenya will systematically unveil the plan for the referendum.
On Wednesday, a number of TNA governors, who have been supporting a parallel bid for a referendum for more money to the counties, made an-about-turn and backed down.
Their change of mind was after a lengthy meeting by party leaders that involved some county bosses.
“We shall use our strength in Parliament to craft laws that will address the issues raised by the governors. We shall involve all our coalition partners and like-minded MPs,” TNA’s Secretary General Onyango Oloo told journalists.
However, other governors, led by their Chairman, Isaac Ruto, vowed to soldier on. They insist that their referendum is not related to that of Cord’s.
Mr Odinga said the governors’ change of heart will weaken their bid for reforms.
