The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) has rejected the proposal by President Uhuru Kenyatta to form a Joint Select Committee of Parliament to spearhead dialogue on the issues surrounding the IEBC.
CORD’s position now throws President Uhuru’s plan into disarray, coming just hours after Jubilee nominated eleven members to the team to take part in the dialogue process.
CORD leader Raila Odinga says that while the President’s gesture is welcome, it does not cater for opposition’s demand for an out-of-Parliament dialogue process.
Jubilee had settled on Senators Kiaritu Murungi (Meru), Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Beatrice Elachi (nominated), Fatuma Dullo (nominated), MPs Cecile Mbarire (Runyenjes), Naomi Shaaban (Taveta), Moses Kuria (Gatundi South), Jimmy Angweyi (Kitutu Chache North) to take part in the dialogue.
Mumias MP Jomo Ben Washiali, Eng. Mohammed Mahmoud, Narok Woman Representative Soipan Tuyak were also named in the team.
CORD has insisted that it would not settled for a parliamentary process on seeking a solution to the IEBC impasse saying the dialogue process should be at the presidency level.
The opposition coalition last week named five legislators to represent it in dialogue over contentious issues including reformation of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The legislators include Siaya Senator James Orengo, his Machakos counterpart Johnson Muthama, Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed and Mombasa Women Representative Mishi Mboko.
An ODM insider had this to say>>
CORD is not opposed to DIALOGUE as Jubilee people are trying to propagate, it is only opposed to the unorthodox games the Presidency & Jubilee in general are trying to apply in the whole issue.
First, by President asserting that Parliamentary Standing Orders MUST be applied in the joint Parliamentary Select team negotiations is null and void to CORD. In applying Standing Orders, it will mean that the Committee will be a market place as opposed to the serious business it is supposed to transact.
Thus the committee will be open to committee members and non-members who may storm in in the guise of friends of the Committee. Nothing will be discussed. Again, nominees to the committee will have to be approved by Parliament; the list of CORD’s nominees is final and should not be subjected for any debate.
CORD wants structured talks and that is why they will not accept a committee of more than SEVEN members from either side of the political divide and two joint secretaries from each side who must not be Parliamentarians or non parliamentary staff. They must be from outside parliament. That is when CORD will believe that Jubilee is serious and committed to the talks #CORDForStructuredTalks
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