Keep off our counties, Central Governors tell CORD

As the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) continues its string of rallies countrywide, queries have been raised over their failure to include Central Kenya in their itinerary.

The environment in the region does not appear conducive for the Opposition coalition, with majority of Governors in the Mt Kenya region warning that CORD is not welcome in their counties.

Already, Governors William Kabogo (Kiambu) Joshua Irungu (Laikipia) and Mwangi wa Iria (Murang’a) have publicly declared they will not entertain CORD, especially after its leader Raila Odinga was seen to be attacking President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto during his homecoming rally late last month.

But still, an itinerary released to media houses by CORD did not indicate the venue of a rally scheduled for June 25. Speculations are rife that it would be held in one of the counties considered to be President Kenyatta’s stronghold.

Conducive environment

Speaking during Madaraka Day celebrations in Ndumberi, Kiambu County, Kabogo dared CORD leaders to hold political rallies in his county, saying the Opposition has been disrespecting and insulting the President.

Although he did not state the consequences, Mr Kabogo said President Kenyatta, who hails from his county, must be respected by everybody and given a conducive environment to serve Kenyans.

“These days it appears insulting the President is a normal thing and we are putting you on notice: do not dare to insult the President when stepping on Kiambu soil. Do not dare,” Kabogo said, adding that Raila’s mission is to destabilise the country and make it ungovernable.

The governor also told off Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale over his attacks on the President, saying: “In your constituencies, you have nothing to do apart from fighting with cows, then you open your mouth to insult the President”.

The Governor said CORD’s political rallies would not change the country’s leadership, as Uhuru will remain President.

“When they went to Uhuru Park, Uhuru was the President. When they went to sleep, he was still the President, and when they woke up, he still was,” said Kabogo. The ‘tyranny of numbers’, he said, will continue to rule the country.

High alert

On his part, Irungu warned residents of Laikipia North Sub-County against being dragged into the calls and demonstrations for national dialogue.

The governor said the community should ignore calls from their MP Mathew Lempurkel, who is an ODM member. Laikipia North is the only constituency in the county represented by an ODM member. Lempurkel is seen as Raila’s point man in Laikipia and neighbouring pastoralist counties.

“It would be wrong and against order to participate in a demonstration just because your MP belongs to a certain political party. Just call my office anytime you feel there is something you need and we will see how to address the problem,” Irungu said.

Speaking at Twala Women Cultural Centre in Il Polei, Irungu said he would not allow anybody in the county to participate in a demonstration when there are better ways of addressing the problems facing residents.

Irungu said security agents are on high alert to avert any form of lawlessness. “Which other dialogue do you want if not the one we are holding now, or do you want President Kenyatta to come here in person?” he said.

In Murang’a, Wa Iria said the local community was committed to carrying out development programmes and asked residents to keep off CORD rallies.

Speaking from Italy, Wa Iria said CORD meetings have no room in the region as residents are engaged in development and will not attend destructive political meetings.

“We have planned strategies which must be implemented in the next financial year and there is no need to attend meetings that lack development agenda,” said the governor.

“CORD’s agenda is to fight development in the country. We have structured development agendas that should not be interrupted by attending political meetings that lack agenda,” said the governor.

National heroes

Three weeks ago, Members of the County Assembly led Murang’a residents to the streets, accusing CORD of hatching a plot to distablise the Government.

CORD is planning to hold meetings all over the country, with a demonstration to be held on July 7, a day popularly referred to as Saba Saba. On Friday, the Saba Saba Asili party’s Organising Secretary Joel Kanguchu warned CORD against holding any public rally in Nairobi on July 7, saying the day is meant to honour national heroes ‘like’ Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia and Martin Shikuku who fought for the second liberation.

Kanguchu said the party would hold a meeting in Nairobi’s Kamukunji grounds to celebrate the day.

 “Political parties should instead support Saba Saba party leaders to make the day colourful, instead of advocating demonstrations that could lead to chaos and destruction of property,” he said.

Story by Eric Wainaina, Job Weru and Boniface Gikandi