CORD PRESS STATEMENT; JUNE 10, 2016:
Over the last three days, we have had, indirectly, positive and fruitful engagements with the Jubilee administration in which the religious faiths, the diplomatic community and business leaders have played a constructive role.
These engagements have not collapsed. From our standpoint we believe that seventy per cent of the sticking points have been agreed upon including the size of the committee, the independence of the committee, timelines and the subject matter.
However we need to conclude discussions on the question whether or not the committee could be subject to the standing orders of Parliament and controlled by the legislature in terms of secretarial services.
We believe the questions affecting IEBC are leadership and integrity challenges and management issues that must be addressed at a political level before the legislative processes are assumed by Parliament at the appropriate stage.
Political will and good faith must be exhibited by all parties and a conducive and enabling environment created.The talks and dialogue will be as good as they start as when they end. We recognise the steps made by Jubilee so far, but they are not enough for purposes of ensuring that success in reforming the IEBC is guaranteed.
As CORD, we hold no cards under the table. Our commitment and objective is limited to resolving the IEBC crisis and ensuring that the people of Kenya can have, as of right, free, fair, transparent, credible, verifiable, peaceful and accountable elections in 2017 and beyond.
In the meantime, our programmes for demonstrations are still in place for Monday and Thursday next week. But we are quick to point out that demonstrations are not an end in themselves and once we have an agreement and pathway to reform IEBC, they will not be necessary.
We note that the President on one hand, and Cabinet Secretary Nkaissery and the Inspector General on the other hand, have different and conflicting views and understanding on the right to peaceably assemble and to demonstrate. That internal contradiction among themselves must be resolved in accordance with the Constitution of Kenya which is clear and without a doubt.
We remain keen to see that peace prevails and the unity of the nation maintained.
Signed.
Hon RAILA ODINGA
Hon KALONZO MUSYOKA
Sen. MOSES WETANGULA
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