Raila to chair Cord strategy meeting

Governors, senators and MPs allied to Cord will hold a meeting with their principals in Nairobi next week to map out strategies in their push for a referendum.

The meeting to be chaired by Cord principals Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula will also be attended by Members of County Assembly allied to the coalition.

Chairman of the committee of experts spearheading the referendum campaign Paul Mwangi (below) confirmed the meeting but did not reveal the date or venue.

“Yes, a meeting is being planned for next week to launch the public participation phase of our campaign. We have invited all governors, senators, MPs and MCAs from all parties in the coalition,” he said.

Sources who did not want to be named for fear of appearing to be leaking the coalition’s secrets said the meeting would be held on Thursday.

Mr Mwangi said his team would use the meeting to take the leaders through views they have collected from the public on what should be included in the referendum draft bill.

The issues include devolution, land reforms, electoral reforms and the question of inclusiveness and equality.

Cord also wants the National Land Commission strengthened against manipulation by the Executive.

They also want to fortify the Constitution so that it is not manipulated, especially in appointments to public offices. Such appointments, they said, must reflect inclusiveness and equality.

Mr Mwangi’s team will also brief the leaders on the meetings held with Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission technical team handling the referendum issue.