Raila: Why we won’t stop

MOMBASA, KENYA: The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy led by Raila Odinga Sunday declared mass mobilisation won’t stop until Jubilee leaders open up to talks.

Defying reprimands and calls for restraint from Jubilee – led by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto – the Opposition leaders stomped the historic Tononoka Grounds in Mombasa, where they restated the July 7 ultimatum.

 Raila and co-principal Moses Wetang’ula said arrests and prosecutions would not dissuade them from going on with their mobilisation.

The other CORD co-principal, Kalonzo Musyoka, who leads the Wiper Democratic Movement, was absent but was represented by members of his party, led by Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama.

 Yesterday’s rally coincided with the former Vice President’s tour of China.

The CORD team said though Uhuru had asked them to wait till the next elections, with a rider that there would be no nusu mkate (euphemism for power-sharing), the problems in the country were too heavy and required national dialogue.

Raila was categorical that if Uhuru and Ruto don’t accede to the talks, they would mobilise Kenyans to build up the pressure.

 “If they do not hold talks, they should be ready to face the wrath of the people,’’ said Raila.

He added: “They are saying I crossed the red line. They should know the Constitution restored sovereign power to the people and the President’s power is donated by Kenyans.”

Seeking solutions

Raila said: “I have been arrested several times and such action will not provide a solution to this country. I am seeking solutions for this country and I am not afraid of arrests or any other threats by the State.”

Wetang’ula weighed in: “The window of opportunity for national dialogue is closing very fast. After Saba Saba there will be no dialogue.”

He also claimed that “popular discontent” was widespread and has not been “fomented by Raila”.

Wetang’ula reiterated CORD would “not allow a few people to mess the destiny of this country”.

Raila said he believes President Uhuru was willing to compromise but insisted “Saba Saba will be a public holiday”.

This is in reference to July 7, the date of the pro-reform rallies that gained much traction in 1990.

CORD leaders earlier addressed worshippers at Neno Evangelism Centre before heading to Tononoka Grounds.

They accused Jubilee of seeking the domination of Kenya’s political economy and systems by two communities and trivialising calls for reform.

In a marked departure from tradition, grassroots leaders, clerics and activists were asked to address the Tononoka rally where they cited the rising insecurity, assassination of religious leaders, land reforms and the recession in the tourism sector.

The activists claimed Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu was frustrating the National Land Commission to derail land reform and also accused the Jubilee administration of fostering corruption and tribalism in public sector appointments, besides failing to arrest insecurity and the high cost of living.

Wetang’ula accused Jubilee of distorting calls for national dialogue and falsely alleging that Raila was fostering a popular uprising.

 He said Raila and other CORD leaders were mere products of a “popular struggle that could become nasty if Jubilee refuses to embrace calls for talks”.

Wetang’ula also warned Kenya’s insecurity had reached unprecedented levels, occasioning the evacuation of Western tourists and shutdown of the British consulate in Mombasa.

Raila asked President Uhuru to embrace national dialogue to stem what he described as rising popular discontent.

Raila and Wetang’ula were responding to Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku’s warning that the CORD leaders were courting anarchy with their demand for national dialogue.

Quoting from the Bible during a Sunday mass at the Neno Evangelism Centre in Mombasa yesterday, the former Prime minister said national dialogue was good for the country to avert angry reactions from suffering Kenyans following the current unbearable situations.

Raila wondered why the President first accepted the talks and changed tune later.

He was accompanied to the church by Senators Wetang’ula, Johnstone Muthama, Bony Khalwale, James Orengo, Hassan Omar and Anyang’ Nyong’o.

Also present were Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Joho and Taita Taveta Governor John Mruttu.

National Assembly minority leader Francis Nyenze, Mombasa deputy governor Hazel Katana, MPs Awiti Bolo, Chris Wamalwa,

Mishi Juma Mboko and Gideon Mung’aro were also present.

 “We are ready to be arrested even yesterday over the national dialogue call. A dream can be frustrated or delayed but it cannot be killed,” Wetang’ula said.

Muthama told worshipers Jubilee was resisting national dialogue because CORD was demanding answers on how billions of shillings were being spent.

He said CORD was questioning Sh24 billion allocated for the laptops projects in the last Financial Year and another Sh17.4 billion for the current Financial Year as well as Sh15 billion for a security deal with Safaricom, which Parliament had rejected.

He also said CORD was concerned about Sh1.4 billion paid to an Anglo Leasing-type firm and Sh8 billion to be used on fresh registration of persons, among other deals.

“Raila is questioning these deals. Should he continue or stop doing that?” Muthama asked the congregation.

Raila told Ole Lenku that he was not a politician and should refrain from politics.