Jubilee dismisses Raila’s letter to Uhuru

NAIROBI, KENYA: The ruling Jubilee coalition has dismissed CORD leader Raila Odinga’s letter to President Uhuru Kenyatta, and termed it diversionary.

National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale and his Senate counterpart Kindiki Kithure, in a joint statement dispatched from State House, said Mr Raila was driven by a desire to control the country's political agenda rather then promote national unity.

“Let us state at the outset that the clamour for ‘dialogue’ by CORD and its handmaidens in civil society has nothing to do with Kenya, or Kenyans. It has nothing to do with national unity, devolution, security, corruption or the IEBC. It has everything to do with Raila Odinga, and the fact that he holds no elective office, he wants to use the clamour to steer the country’s political agenda,” read the statement in part.

But in a quick rejoinder, the Coalition for Reform and Democracy (CORD) warned Mr Duale against continued unprovoked attacks against Raila. CORD Chief Whip and Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo criticised Duale at a public rally in Kakamega, and accused the lawmaker perennial mudsliging.

“We are sending a warning to Duale. Let him not try to talk ill of Raila again. Raila is not Duale’s peer and we are saying all CORD principals, including Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula, must be respected,” said Mr Midiwo at a CORD rally in Muliro Gardens yesterday.

Midowo accused Duale of misusing the Parliamentary privileges to improperly sully CORD’s reputation.

He singled out Duale's recent association of the Mpeketoni killings with the CORD leader and said these statements were malicious and misguided.

Raila had written to President Kenyatta, assuring him that he was not interested in grabbing power, and offered his support on war against terror with an emphasis on the need for talks to address national challenges.

The former PM also pointed out that he had no grudge and had accepted the results of the 2013 General Election.

NATIONAL SECURITY

Raila cited five critical issues that needed to be addressed in a national dialogue conference. These included national security, national unity, devolution, corruption and the electoral process.

However, Prof Kindiki and Duale said all issues Raila wants to dialogue over have been well addressed by constitutional bodies and in the legislature where CORD is well represented.

“This discourse is not just a dialogue, it is a deep and comprehensive national conversation involving multiple stakeholders and managing the interests of the full spectrum of our national family. That Raila is not democratically mandated to participate in any of these conversations does not mean they are not structured. Indeed, it is quite arrogant and ‘unstatesmanly’ of Raila to imply that anything taking place without his participation or blessing is illegitimate,” the statement further read.

They said as things stand, the Jubilee alliance was charged with the mandate to govern, while CORD was charged with the duty of opposition.

They further noted that the CORD leader had never found it difficult to engage the Government at the highest level when there was need. They noted that during the Westgate Mall attack, he was able, together with his partners, to communicate with the President.

“To demand dialogue with threats, therefore, is unbecoming and offensive. To tell the Government and the President that they will be devoured by the sword is blatantly reckless, disrespectful and immature. With every careless remark spewing out of Raila’s mouth, more and more Kenyans are persuaded of his unsuitability to lead a progressive, stable and democratic nation,” the statement further read.

Duale and Kindiki went further to claim that the CORD leader was seeking dialogue under the pretext of pursuing high ideals, while at the same time carelessly propagating insupportable falsehoods.

“For instance, he claims that Sh4.5 billion has been paid in connection with Anglo Leasing projects. When the truth is that only Sh1.4 billion has been paid following a court order.”

They noted that Raila was aware that the Standard Gauge Railway was conceived well before the Jubilee alliance took over Government and was involved in the transactions that began the process of engagement with the Chinese financiers.

They claimed Raila had frequently articulated a ‘right’ to overthrow democratically elected governments as an exercise of popular sovereignty and by so doing, he deceives his followers and defiles the Constitution.

“We caution Raila against propagating dangerous ideas and inciting his followers to embrace toxic, unconstitutional notions regarding leadership and governance. We also urge him to let his coalition do its bit within constitutionally laid down structures, and to enjoy his break from political leadership. There are opportunities for Kenyans his age to engage themselves usefully in a manner that will build, not destroy their legacies,” read the statement.

The Government, they added, was in charge, and was moving consciously and steadily to deliver the transformation it promised Kenyans.