Jubilee rules out talks with Cord, asks Raila, Kalonzo to meet Uhuru at State House

A section of the Jubilee leadership during the State House meeting Tuesday. [PHOTO: PSCU]

NAIROBI, KENYA: There will be no national dialogue in July 7 (Saba Saba) as had been clamoured for by the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord), the Jubilee Coalition has decided.

Speaking after a meeting of Members of Parliament and Senators at State House Nairobi, Leader of Majority at the National Assembly Aden Duale said any national dialogue should be done within constitutionally created institutions.

“For example the roadmap of disbanding the IEBC is documented in the constitution, the president and the government’s role comes after parliament has disposed the matter” Duale said.

Duale also disclosed that Jubilee MPs and Senators will have a retreat to evaluate the government’s performance and strategize on its next course of action. The date for the retreat was not immediately given.

The coalition has once again formed a secretariat to coordinate activities of its affiliate parties TNA and URP amidst disquiet among some members of the parties with claims that one side of the coalition is being favoured in government appointments.  

On his part, Senate’s Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki said Jubilee can only dialogue with Cord on social issues regardless of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s statement on Madaraka Day welcoming such a talk.

“You do not require dialogue to deal with an independent commission. On issues of devolution Cord is significantly represented in the Senate, those who were in Uhuru Park can channel their views through Moses Wetangula (Minority Leader) to the Senate and we will process it there” Kithure said.  

The meeting was chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto.

Cord has demanded for a national dialogue on five matters including Security, Corruption, National Unity and Constitutional inclusivity in public appointments, the electoral process and credibility of elections and fifthly, the restructuring of the Provincial Administration and Devolution.