ODM leaders back calls for vote

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero (left) and Embakasi MP Irshad Sumra after the ODM meeting on July 17, 2014. PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI

What you need to know:

  • The party also called for the strengthening of devolution and opposed what it called attempts to reintroduce the provincial administration.
  • Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o told reporters the MPs had agreed to “speak with one voice in the quest for a national referendum on issues critical to the well-being of our nation.”

ODM lawmakers have resolved to endorse the 13-point demand they made earlier this month including calls for a referendum. (READ: Raila's 13-point agenda)

On Thursday, 72 leaders including MPs, one governor and two members of the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) met for three hours at Orange House where they issued an eight-point statement to compliment the one publicised by the Coalition for Reform and Democracy (Cord) on Saba Saba Day. (READ: Cord chiefs to begin talks on team for vote)

They met under what they called the ODM Parliamentary group during which they accused the government of messing up the economy, ignoring the “silent genocide” in Mandera and Wajir and “bastardising” the Constitution.

“(ODM Parliamentary Group resolved to) condemn the excessive borrowing by the government that has deeply indebted Kenyans to unnecessary debts (sic).”

BOYCOTT SAFARICOM PRODUCTS

“(We) condemn the escalation of official corruption in the country and support Cord’s call for the cancellation of the Sh15 billion security tender awarded to Safaricom,” Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o said after the meeting, warning they would advise Kenyans to boycott Safaricom products if the deal goes on. (READ: Safaricom security deal faces new hurdle)

Safaricom was awarded the security tender in what the government said could help address growing insecurity.

But the Sh15 billion deal has been the subject of a court case and a parliamentary investigation, both questioning the validity of the award.

The party also called for the strengthening of devolution and opposed what it called attempts to reintroduce the provincial administration.

During the Saba Saba rally, Cord, to which ODM is a member, demanded that the government addresses the escalating cost of living, rising insecurity through terrorism and ethnic violence. They also called for a referendum, disbandment of the electoral commission and a crackdown against the corrupt.

However, after the rally, some of its leaders criticised the call for the referendum.

Others like Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero criticised the timing of the rally, saying it had inconvenienced Nairobi people. But on Thursday, he was the only governor at the meeting. Sources told the Nation that part of the agenda included how to deal with MPs who oppose the ODM agenda. (READ: Top leaders explain Saba Saba absence)

Prof Nyong’o, who is ODM’s secretary-general, told reporters the MPs had agreed to “speak with one voice in the quest for a national referendum on issues critical to the well-being of our nation.”

The Nation learnt that the party was planning a retreat early next month to address the matter.

The referendum became a new song after July 7 following the failure of their demand for national dialogue with the government. Cord has yet to decide which question will be answered by voters should they go to a referendum.

On July 7, Cord announced they would form a team to push for all-inclusive committee to prepare Kenyans for the vote.

That team is yet to be formed although the leaders were converging at Orange House even as their partners in Wiper Movement and Ford Kenya met simultaneously at different venues. They are expected to issue a Cord statement this week.