– The Jubilee coalition through its spokesperson Aden Duale, has responded to the CORD over their suspension of the anti-IEBC demos
– Duale says the demos should not have happened in the first place and that the CORD leaders should apologise to Kenyans and account for the lives lost and property destroyed
– He also hinted that the Jubilee coalition is not ready for dialogue as there are means through which such matters should be discussed
– Having said that, Duale says it is time for the talks to commence
The Jubilee coalition has issued a stern statement hours after the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) indicated it has temporarily suspended its anti-IEBC demos to allow for dialogue with the government.
In a social media post, National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale says that the opposition should not have gone to the streets to protest in the first place and wants them to stop the demonstrations immediately.
Duale, who is a strong Jubilee spokesperson, also wants the CORD to apologise to Kenyans for the deaths caused during the demonstrations and account for the losses incurred.
“CORD should never have gone to the streets in the first place. They should not just suspend the violent demonstrations; they should stop them forthwith and apologise to the residents of Nairobi and the entire country. CORD leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula must take responsibility for the deaths, injuries, looting and destruction of property in the last three weeks,” Duale said.
Duale further alleges that the three leaders do not know the importance of peace and that is why they amassed their supporters to take to the streets.
In what looks like a response to the opposition’s calls for dialogue on the fate of the disgraced IEBC commissioners whom CORD wants to vacate office, Duale hinted that the government won’t sit with the opposition to discuss the matter.
He indicated that there are stipulated means which should be used to remove IEBC from office.
“CORD knows what should be done if the coalition has an issue with a commissioner or commissioners of the IEBC. The 2010 progressive Constitution and the Elections Act outline the steps clearly,” he added.
He said that ‘if CORD was interested in discussions over the IEBC, dialogue has been on the table at the joint Justice and Legal Affairs committee of the National Assembly and senate’.
“The talks can begin now,” he concluded.
Early Wednesday, May 25, the CORD indicated that it had suspended its planned demonstrations for 10 days so that they can sit with the government for dialogue.
Senators James Orengo and Johnstone Muthama said the suspension also aimed at bringing peace to the country after three Mondays of teargas and deaths in Nairobi and other parts of the coutry.
“We’ve resolved to temporarily suspend the demos against IEBC to give dialogue and peace a chance. If there’s no positive response from the government on structured dialogue demands by June 5th, we will resume,” Orengo said.
The opposition also plans to hold a parallel rally on Madaraka Day at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, as President Uhuru Kenyatta leads Madaraka Day celebrations in Nakuru’s Afraha stadium.
Sources – Tuko.co.ke
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