The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) has announced it will withdraw the Motion to impeach Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku even after an ODM MP gave notice of the censure Motion in the National Assembly.
Yesterday, CORD principals Raila Odinga and Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang'ula said the Opposition would notify the Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi of their intention to withdraw the Motion.
The CORD leaders spoke even as Kisumu Town MP Ken Obura gave notice of the censure Motion during yesterday's morning sitting of the National Assembly, arguing that Mr Lenku must take responsibility for rampant insecurity.
Wetang'ula said at Orange House: "The President is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the republic and he chairs the National Security Council. Lenku is just a functionary within a rotten system."
He added: "We have instructed our Leader of Minority Jakoyo Midiwo to serve the Speaker with a notice of withdrawal since by going for Lenku, we would be wasting our energy.
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"We do not want to look like we are targeting a man who is not in charge. We want the President, who chairs the security council, to be held accountable," Raila said.
However, there are claims that CORD has retreated for fear of a political backlash from the Maa community, which has opposed any attempt to transfer or sack Lenku in the wake of spiralling insecurity in the country.
The tactical retreat by the Opposition came ahead of CORD's rally to be held in Tulele, Narok County, on Saturday.
Elders and opinion leaders from the larger Maa community had argued that Lenku should not be used as a sacrificial lamb. They had threatened to withdraw their support if the censure Motion against the CS sailed through.
In Parliament, Obura said the House seeks to censure Lenku for being unable to handle the security situation in the country.
The House Business Committee is set to schedule a date when the motion will be debated on the floor of the House.
The Motion, which was approved by Muturi on Tuesday, sought to fault Lenku on grounds of incompetence and inability to carry out his duties.
