No dialogue with Cord over IEBC, Jubilee meeting resolves

A Jubilee coalition parliamentary group meeting at State House Tuesday resolved that there would be no dialogue with opposition Cord coalition on issues touching on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) or other matters which are outlined in law.

"No dialogue on IEBC or matters, whose procedure is clearly set out in the constitution," the coalition tweeted through the State House account.

National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale said the roadmap for IEBC disbandment was well documented in the constitution, citing calls by the opposition to disband the institution.

The parliamentary meeting chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta also urged Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi to drop the impeachment motion against Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru.

The Igembe South legislator had introduced the motion against the CS for transferring Kiplimo Rugut from the National Youth Service, and sought permission from the House Business Committee to have it prioritised.

CORD DEMANDS

The legislators also resolved that the national dialogue called by the opposition would take place through an engagement within the government structures and not in an event.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Duale said the coalition had resolved that the national dialogue would be done within the institutions created by the constitution.

 “The new Constitution 2010 created independent institutions that have the role of dealing with national issues. So we will expect the national dialogue to be framed within those institutions,” the National Assembly Majority Leader said.

Mr Duale was referring to the recent push by the opposition for a national dialogue to discuss security and economic issues affecting the country.

The demands were made by Cord leaders during the rally at Uhuru Park as they welcomed the coalition’s principal Raila Odinga.

The opposition gave the government an ultimatum within which they would be required to organise for a national dialogue with key stakeholders in the country while demanding the disbandment of the IEBC

(Read: Cord demands crisis talks as Raila makes big return)

The parliamentary group meeting further stated that the Cord principals, Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka and other opposition leaders were welcome to engage President Kenyatta on any issue at State House.

Addressing the meeting, President Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto emphasised the need for the legislators to unite and work together in delivering the pledges made by the coalition.

 “Let us stick and work together. Our future and strength lies in our unity,” President Kenyatta said.

Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki said the meeting agreed on a strategy to tackle the laws being formulated in Parliament especially on Government Bills for the benefit of all Kenyans.

“We want to promise that going forward, there will be robust business on things that we think will help this country to move forward in accordance with the manifesto that we shared with the people of Kenya and also in accordance with the dictates of our new Constitution,” Prof Kithure said.

 Prof Kithure said those calling for national dialogue on devolution should channel their views through the Senate which is dedicated to discuss, debate and legislate on the issue.

“Cord is significantly represented in Senate so they should channel their views through their representatives in the House,” the Senate Majority Leader said.

The meeting was attended by 202 Members of National Assembly and over 30 Jubilee Senators.

The group said they would agree on dates of a joint retreat as per the recommendations in the parliamentary group meeting.