Setback as CORD battles internal rebellion on referendum push

By STEPHEN MAKABILA  and JACOB NGETICH

CORD’s push for a referendum is facing stiff opposition from within as Jubilee continues with its anti-referendum campaign.

CORD leader Raila Odinga held a closed door meeting with Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya to strategise on how the coalition will push its agenda in the region.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of a growing rebellion by a section of legislators from the Raila led alliance who have opposed the referendum bid, questioning its purpose and timing.

But the thorny referendum debate has also left the CORD and Jubilee coalition leadership on edge, over growing uncertainty on who will have the last laugh.

CORD’s decision to push for a referendum to strengthen devolution puts it in a particularly tight spot, amid internal rebellion from within and an onslaught from the ruling Jubilee coalition that is determined to nip its political manoeuvres in the bud.

For CORD which lost to Jubilee in the March 4 General Election, being vanquished in the referendum contest could see its political fortunes plummet further ahead of the 2017 elections.

On the flipside, its victory will give it fresh impetus as it re-organises for the 2017 battle at the ballot.

The ruling Jubilee coalition is not taking it lightly, as a lose to CORD will impact negatively on its legitimacy for the next five years, while a win will re-affirm its political dominance.

Strategy meetings

 The growing uneasiness was demonstrated on Tuesday when the two coalition rivals held separate strategy meetings in the city.

After an ODM National Executive Council meeting, the party emerged to declare its unequivocal support for the proposed referendum.

“ODM is supporting the push for a referendum to strengthen devolution and boost powers of the Senate,” said Raila who is ODM party leader and a CORD principal.

And while speaking in Kakamega, he said, “ The referendum debate is not a CORD affair. We promised Kenyans devolution must work and that is what we are committed to do.”

 Focus remains on Raila, who has declared the push as unstoppable, but who is reading from different scripts from a section of his own coalition MPs opposed to the referendum calls.

The unfolding scenario puts Raila, known as an enigma in Kenyan politics, to one of his greatest political tests.

Among those opposed to the referendum push include CORD’s Deputy Chief Whip in the National Assembly Chris Wamalwa, Kisumu West MP  Olago Aluoch and  Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba, one of Raila’s strongest political allies. 

At the meeting of Jubilee Senators at Deputy President William Ruto’s official residence in Karen, Nairobi, Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki declared they will counter CORD.

Mr Ruto persuaded Jubilee Senators to drop the quest for a referendum, and warned that CORD leaders want to use the poll as a short-cut to power after they were floored in the March 4 elections.

Ruto’s sentiments are shared by President Uhuru Kenyatta, who has been on an official tour of Russia and China.

 Jubilee which controls majority numbers in the Senate and the National Assembly is set to make life difficult for CORD when the two Houses resume on September 17, by ensuring a seamless working relationship.

 “We control majority in both the Senate and the National Assembly and we want a synchronised working relationship when the two Houses resume business on September 17. Chief whips and leaders of majority in both houses will work together,” said Kindiki.

 Ruto also said the coalition had a framework to manage the two Houses. “We want to have a smooth and seamless passage of information between the two Houses,” he said.

 Even as Jubilee plans to have firm control in the two Houses, a Survey carried out by The Standard whose results were published on Friday shows some Jubilee governors (from URP), were supportive of the referendum while those from TNA were against it.

Political analysts opine this could create a wedge between the two main parties in the Coalition, which will likely be a boon for CORD.

 Uasin-Gishu, Nandi, Bomet, West-Pokot, Baringo, Elgeyo-Marakwet   and Mandera governors, all from URP, are in support of the referendum.

 Former Assistant minister Joseph Misoi, who was among the pioneers of Majimboism in the early 1990s, says Rift Valley counties support strengthened devolution because the region has always advocated for stronger regional governments.

 Jubilee governors against the referendum are from Tharaka-Nithi, Nyeri, Embu, Kirinyaga and Tana-River counties.

Mr Namwamba has questioned how the referendum will help improve the lives of Kenyans.

“How does this referendum address the disturbing trend of the sky-rocketing cost of food, electricity and fuel? How does it answer the big national headaches of spiraling unemployment, insecurity and incessant strikes?”  he posed.

Senate Legal Affairs Committee chaired by Busia Senator Amos Wako, and the Devolution Committee are to tour all the 47 counties in a drive to collect a million signatures to force a referendum.

But Senate Devolution Committee chairman, Elgeiyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has opposed the referendum, saying increased allocations to counties should not be used as a basis to push for amendments of the Constitution.