Leaders differ on CORD’s call for a national dialogue

Vihiga,Kenya:Leaders from Western Kenya have differed over the need to have a national dialogue between the ruling Jubilee coalition and the opposition CORD.

Vihiga MP Yusuf Chanzu, a UDF MP has trashed the need to have the talks, saying that the election losers should be patient and give those who won, a chance to serve the people.

Chanzu said the reason why Kenyans voted was to choose leaders who would lead them for five years.

“Elections are used to determine the winner. Nobody should try and to reverse the trend of democracy, because you can’t be a loser and want to advise, or share with the person who won,” he said.

Chanzu, who spoke during a tour to inspect projects in his constituency noted that it was futile for a national dialogue to be held, as some leaders would put forth their interests, other than problems affecting Kenyans.

Party consultations

However, Butere MP Andrew Toboso pointed out that bi-partisan talks were necessary in order to bring the country back on track.

“All leaders have a right to air their views and this will also provide an opportunity for the government’s performance to be assessed. The ruling coalition itself agrees that things are not right. The President admitted this on Madaraka Day, but has since been misled by his kitchen cabinet and beat a retreat,” said Toboso.

He urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to be a statesman and allow dialogue to take place for the sake of the country.

“In the United States, both the Democratic party and the Republicans consult on issues of national importance. The same thing happens in the United Kingdom between the Conservatives and the Labour Party,” said Toboso.

Political losers

Lurambi MP Raphael Otaalo said the Government has to accept criticism where it is failing, the same way it basks in the praises of its successes.

“The best thing for the Government right now is to go for dialogue because the opposition has ideas that can help sort out issues of corruption, nepotism and high cost of living,” he said.

Chanzu insisted that if President Uhuru accepts to sit with the opposition and CORD leader Raila Odinga to have a national dialogue, other political losers would demand to dialogue with elected leaders.

“You cannot say that since my constituents are experiencing hard times, which are replicated all over in the country that I should now sit with my opponents whom I beat to seek a way forward. My opponents should wait until my term expires, then they can seek for the same position,” he said.    

He further said that the call by the opposition to disband the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was uncalled for.

“The IEBC officials were installed by Raila’s team after ousting the late Samuel Kivuitu’s team from office. We cannot be changing teams whenever we feel it does not suit our needs,” he said.

Disgruntled population

The MP told the opposition leaders to air their grievances through Parliament instead of putting the country in an election mood.

Chanzu reminded CORD that all Kenyans are affected by the current state of insecurity and the high cost of living, so it would be prudent if the leaders sought tangible solutions instead of politicking. 

But Otaalo told Chanzu that the opposition was only putting the government in check, which is its constitutional mandate.

“From the beginning, we have been doing our best to put the government in check. However, our numbers in Parliament are not large enough for us to be felt effectively. We have now revitalised the opposition and feel we have the support of Kenyans, who are currently disgruntled,” said Otaalo.