Opposition not in limbo, Kalonzo says

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy has defended itself against accusations of poor leadership in Parliament and in the Senate.

A statement from Mr Kalonzo Musyoka’s press team said the coalition is satisfied with the leadership of Senator Moses Wetangula as Minority leader in the Senate and Mr Francis Nyenze as Minority leader in Parliament.

According to Mr Musyoka, the party has had regular consultations with the House team and any arising issues have been dealt with decisively so there is no cause for alarm.

“As Cord coalition we have been meeting when there is any matter arising whether in Parliament or at the Senate and we have dealt with it decisively, so I want to assure Kenyans the so-called opposition limbo is just a myth,” Mr Musyoka said. (READ: Opposition in limbo as Raila Odinga extends US visit)

EXTENDED US STAY

The former VP was speaking at Uthini ABC Church in Kawethei, Kangundo in Machakos County during a fundraiser on Sunday.

The Wiper leader added that there is no leadership vacuum in the opposition as a result of Cord’s leader Raila Odinga’s absence from the country.

Mr Odinga has extended his visit to the US by another month, a move which is said to be causing anxiety among his supporters.

But Mr Musyoka said the coalition is on course and has played its role as the opposition. “We have actively put this Jubilee government on notice over several issues which we believe they have mishandled or not delivered.

“We are still demanding as the opposition to know what exactly happened at Westgate because the committee of Parliament gave an unsatisfactory report and still President Kenyatta had assured to appoint a commission of inquiry which he has not done so far,” Mr Musyoka said.

OUTSOURCE INCOMPETENCE

ODM acting Party Leader Anyang Nyong’o also termed as ‘propaganda‘ claims that the opposition had failed to keep the government on its toes in Parliament.

“A well orchestrated propaganda is being fed to the Kenyan public seeking to find an excuse for Jubilee's poor performance in government.

“This propaganda blames the opposition for not having kept Jubilee "in check", hence its poor performance,” Prof Nyong’o said.

He accused Jubilee political strategist Moses Kuria of being behind the propaganda.

"The lead propagandist in all this is one Moses Kuria, the so called Jubilee Propagandist who only thrives on threatening Jubilee MPs and Senators who try to express their displeasure in the bad things the Jubilee administration does," Prof Nyong'o said in a statement.

“One would have thought that a weak opposition would give Jubilee a field day to push all its policies through Parliament without hindrance,” he added.

He said that truth is that using the tyranny of both numbers and political hubris, “Jubilee has succeeded in perfecting the reign of propaganda and the tyranny of lies that now leads it to attempt to outsource its incompetence to the opposition. This cannot be Jubilee's salvation.”

CANNOT PROTECT CITIZENS

Suna East MP Junet Mohamed ignited calls for the removal of Mr Wetangula and Mr Nyenze last week, saying the two together with deputy Minority Leader in the National Assembly Jakoyo Midiwo, Cord chief whip Gideon Mungaro and his deputy Chris Wamalwa had failed in leading the opposition to check the government in both Houses of Parliament.

Mr Mohamed’s views have been shared by a number of ODM lawmakers including Rarieda’s Nicholas Gumbo and Cord supporters who accuse the leaders at Senate and National Assembly of lackluster performance.

Also on the spot are Public Accounts Committee chairman Ababu Namwamba and his Public Investment Committee chairman Adan Keynan who are the only opposition leaders heading Parliamentary watchdog committees as the rest of the teams are headed by Jubilee MPs.

On security matters the wiper leader demanded an apology from the Jubilee government over the reckless remarks made by its Majority leader. He said a government which cannot protect its citizens and property has no business being in leadership.

“As you can see, this Jubilee government has been defeated by the rising insecurity in the country and for a government which cannot protect her citizens, it has no business leading a country,” added Mr Musyoka.

OFFERING LEADERSHIP

Mr Nyenze said people have different leadership skills and thus his consultative style of leadership should not be mistaken as not being effective.

He said he has widely consulted leaders and to him he does not need to be seen chest thumping but give other leaders the opportunity to articulate the collective stand of the opposition.

Mbooni Mp Kisoi Munyao said the Cord coalition should give Mr Musyoka the ticket to run for the presidency in 2017 because he fully supported Mr Odinga in 2013 elections.

Mr Munyao also defended Mr Nyenze over the accusation that he is not offering leadership in Parliament.

“I want to send this clear message to our brothers, the position held by minority leader Francis Nyenze belongs to wiper as per the coalition agreement and as a party we have not agreed and we are not ready to replace him,” Mr Munyao said.

Other leaders present included Dr Susan Musyoka of Machakos county, MPs Nyiva Mwendwa, Katatha Maweu, Patrick Makau and Stephen Mule.

The leaders condemned National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale’s recent outburst over the security situation in Kenya.

CREATE ANIMOSITY

African Brotherhood Church Archbishop Timothy Ndambuki who delivered the sermon said Mr Duale’s sentiments were very unfortunate and he should be asked to clarify what he meant because the Somali community members have been living and doing business in Ukambani and so his sentiments could create animosity.

Mr Duale has however has accused the media of misinterpreting his remarks in Eastleigh recently, implying that he said terrorists should bomb elsewhere but not Eastleigh.

“What I said is that terrorists will not bomb Machakos because the people there will not hide them but terrorists have a way of hiding among our people in Eastleigh,” Mr Duale said. The URP MP said he is a victim of terror as 15 people were killed during an attack in Garissa in 2011.

“The biggest victims of terror are the people of North Eastern including Wajir, Mandera and Garissa,” the Garissa Township MP said.