Atwoli: Talks on electoral commission not a two-party affair
What you need to know:
- Cotu Secretary-General argues that by confining discussions to parliamentary team, president was locking out critical groups such as the clergy, trade unions and civil society.
Central Organization of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary General Francis Atwoli wants talks on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to involve others besides Jubilee and Cord.
The unionist yesterday argued that by confining the discussions to a parliamentary team, the president was locking out critical groups such as the clergy, trade unions and civil society.
Jubilee has named a team of MPs to negotiate on the future of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission through a select parliamentary committee. The committee would collect views from everyone.
A parliamentary select committee would be at liberty to take views from churches, trade unions, professionals and ordinary Kenyans.
“Raila, Musalia Mudavadi (Amani National Congress), Gideon Moi (Kanu) and other leaders command a following of people who voted for them and so their views are also important,” he said.
He was speaking in Vihiga on Saturday at the funeral of Felda Mwondi, the wife of Cotu national chairman Rajaab Mwondi.
He went on: “I lead more than 2.5 million workers. If you insist that dialogue must be through Parliament, where are you leaving all these people?”
President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto have said they are not opposed to dialogue over the reconstitution of the IEBC.
Mr Atwoli, however, noted that the hardline positions taken by the political leadership was bad for Kenya.
“Let leaders meet. They may even realise that this may be easy. Parliament alone cannot do it,” said Mr Atwoli.
Cord has said the weekly protests will now be held every Monday and Thursday.
“How many more do we want to die before reason can prevail? If IEBC is allowed to conduct the next elections, it will not be well for the country,” he said.
The archbishop-elect of the Anglican Church of Kenya, Jackson ole Sapit, has also urged President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga to involve other stakeholders.
