Jubilee rejects calls for national dialogue

MPs allied to the Jubilee Coalition have ruled out any national dialogue conference to address problems facing the nation.

The coalition’s Parliamentary Group meeting chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, Mr William Ruto, also warned Cord leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka against issuing ultimatums to the government.

“We told them to bring motions and Bills to Parliament on any issue they feel is critical. They have the minority leader who can channel such Bills and motions to the House for debate,” said an MP who attended the meeting.

The MPs were referring to calls by Mr Odinga and Mr Kalonzo for a national dialogue conference to discuss pertinent issues facing the nation (see story on Page 4).

On Tuesday, Mr Kenyatta agreed with the 220 MPs drawn from all the Jubilee affiliate parties that pertinent matters facing the country could be tackled by institutions such as Parliament and constitutional commissions.

He, however, added that he had no problem meeting the Cord leader at State House to discuss issues “as old friends”.

“The President said he welcomed any constructive discussion on issues affecting the country,” said another MP.

A tweet from State House read: “Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka and other Cord leaders welcome to engage the President at State House.”

BACK OFF

The MPs were however categorical that they would not be party to any discussion regarding the disbandment of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

“The Constitution sets out mechanisms through which national organs such as IEBC can be reformed or disbanded. We told them (Cord) to use the laid down mechanisms if they did not want the commission. We do not want to have anything to do with such a motion,” said one MP.

During the meeting, the leaders tried to persuade Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi to drop a motion to impeach Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru.

The President and his deputy argued that from their experience as ministers, such a motion could be a nightmare for an individual. They argued  that because the majority of the Cabinet secretaries had not been politicians, they might not know how to relate with MPs and other elected leaders.

“Both the President and Ruto explained that the motion would undermine the power sharing arrangement between the coalition partners. They told Linturi that if anything, (Kiplimo) Rugut had been promoted and not demoted,” one MP told  the Nation.

Most MPs who spoke are said to have criticised Cabinet secretaries in general, complaining that they appeared not to respect MPs as elected leaders.

Some said Ms Waiguru should be “dealt with” as the example for the rest.

Mr Linturi told the gathering his motion had the backing of MPs and was not driven by ill will. He however complained that some protests against him in Igembe South appeared to have the influence of a foreign hand.

Addressing reporters after the meeting, Mr Linturi said he had in fact gathered more signatures in support of his motion and he would let the rest of the House decide whether to remove Ms Waiguru from office or not.

“We’re living in a democratic society so that is their opinion and that is their wish. My wish is different. It is that any motion can be won or lost on the floor of the House,” said Mr Linturi.

“I am not yet convinced. I expected there to be serious dialogue. To have serious convincing reasons why this motion should not be brought but I am wondering what is so special with Madam Waiguru.”

REACTIONS

MPs to debate key problems 

State House Tweet: “Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka and other Cord leaders welcome to engage the President at State House”.

On IEBC one MP said: “The Constitution sets out mechanisms through which national organs such as IEBC can be reformed or disbanded. We told them (Cord) to use the laid down mechanisms if they did not want the commission”.

On Waiguru’s impeachment another MP said: “Both the President and Ruto explained that the motion would undermine the power sharing arrangement between the coalition partners.”