Cord suspends anti-IEBC demonstrations until further notice (Youtube-Clip)

“The opposition cord has called off all Anti-IEBC demonstrations indefinitely, announcing that key issues have been agreed on and a motion establishing a join committee to spearhead dialogue will be ready before the end of the week.
The announcement brings relief after nearly two months that have been marked by on and off street protests to demand the disbandment of IEBC” (Kenya Citizen TV, 2016)

Moses Kuria defends his utterances on Raila’s assassination as seven other MPs get charged (Youtube-Clip)

“The eight legislators from both CORD and Jubilee who were being held by police over hate speech allegations have been charged with incitement to violence. The politicians arrived at the Milimani Law Courts at 5am Friday morning under heavy GSU escort and were locked up in the cells before opening of the court. They include Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama, Busia woman representative Florence Mutua, Kilifi woman representative Aisha Jumwa, Moses Kuria (Gatundu South MP), Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete MP), Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati MP), Timothy Bosire (Kitutu Masaba MP) and Junet Mohamed (Suna East MP). Police report indicates that they had to ferry the MPs to court very early before sunrise to avoid confrontations from their supporters and sympathizers. The leaders have been in police cells since Tuesday and were not allowed to meet their political leaders and friends. The High Court on Thursday upheld the lower court’s decision to detain them after considering public interest as opposed to individual interests. Further detention of the legislators was also meant to allow police finalise hate speech allegations facing them” (KTN News Kenya, 2016)

Ngunjiri, Cord MPs released on 300,000 cash bail in hate speech cases (Youtube-Clip)

Opinion: Only the king can speak!

kenyas-deputy-president-william-ruto-addresses-prayer-service.

I will here discuss the matters of double standard between the Deputy President William Ruto and the recent detained MPs or Legislators in Kenya, as there are certain misgivings as they are not justified, because in the same time-span that the MPs might spoke with ‘hate’. The Same ‘hate’ and words of agression came from the mouth of Ruto. As I will explain and show, as the system is made for the Jubilee, against the CORD. Take a look!

Yesterday the Kenyan Police and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) we’re busy getting Members of Parliament and legislators behind bars for brawling with their tongue of late, the men that got in the spotlight of IGP Joseph K. Boinnett, CS Interior Joseph Nkaissery and Hon. Francis Xavier Ole Kaparo who have taken a decision to detain these for their words of supposed hate. These men are Moses Kuria, Ferdinand Waititu, Aisha Jumwa, Florence Mutua, Johnstone Muthama, Junet Mohammed, Timothy Bosire and Kimaani Ngunjiri.

NCIC 2016 Kenya

It might be true that their words was with spite and with anger, it might be true that they we’re wrong for their attack at the government, but why detain them, because the NCIC disagree with them or the NCIC want to be loyal to the Jubilee central leadership?

Because on the 11th of June Deputy President. William Samoei Ruto said this: “Just like Al-Shabaab mayhem, the Cord protests affected the economy. There’s no difference between the terrorists and people who disturb us every Monday.” (Barasa, 2016).

So I am sure that the 8 men said something offensive, just like Donald Trump says something offensive like wanting to be congratulated for being right that somebody had to be killed by a terrorist, as long as there are actual Muslims still in the United States, in the same way the CORD and Jubilee MPs have said something hateful or disregarding fellow politician and central leadership of Kenya.

Though who isn’t spreading fear and agony when fellow citizens who walks on the streets against the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and their impartial treatment of the public and their chicken-scandal; doesn’t make the matter better for the credit and trust in the Government institution and responsibility towards the ballots to the IEBC.

But I am sure that Jubilee, means well, deep in their hearts, though it seems like they are consolidating their power, more and more by the day, while also tendering to the foreign donors and access their neighbor countries. Something they have done with Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda and their leaders.

Hassan Ali Joho Peace

“Just like Uhuru who was elected by millions of people demands respect, it is the same way Raila who was elected by millions of people deserves the same respect. Ruto should stop making demeaning remarks against our coalition leader; let him address me, I am his equal,” said Governor Hassan Ali Joho (Ouida & Oketch, 2016).

So let me clear the air, while the CORD and Jubilee legislators are detained over night for their words; why wasn’t any concern put on the second man of the nation of Kenya? Why was the locally elected in their constituency as men of their decision to jail these men for their words and tone, when the second man in charge of the country even claimed that a load of their citizens are like ‘terrorist’; Al-Shabaab’s as they are responsible for the shops closing, but none of the leadership and government question the Police Officers for their violence and aggravated actions against the citizens who are demonstrating? That what is worrying me, the impunity of actions from government, while the Opposition are getting harassed by either the Police or other parts of government institutions like NCIC of this week.

As I said, I am not standing for the words of CORD; it is more the blistering actions from Deputy President William Ruto, who have been as aggressive as the CORD MPs and Senators, so when they are detained days upon days, and would even are being detained until Friday. When we see this and has this in mind, the Jubilee and the leadership as they are responsible for all citizens as a government, not only the ones that have voted for them and their MPs.

NCIC 2016 Kenya. P2jpg

I cannot address it enough, the CORD is not all right, neither is the Jubilee, the important factor is to get fair judgement of character and fair treatment, as the Jubilee, have not done that as they are sitting on the throne and expect silence from the Opposition and their questions towards Government institutions. Instead they are being beaten and tear-gassed as they want to make amendments to the regulations and Electoral Commission that exists. As they have faith and history of the IEBC to want it to be reformed, and while the Jubilee and ruling regime harass and oppress, doesn’t validate their actions towards the General Election. Because both coalition and parties have to fix it together and should instead of “fighting” each other, actually have dialogue and not cross each other.

Not that what all CORD MPs are justified, but the DP Ruto is not stating a peaceful manner as well, when he calls out a grand amount of people and calling them alike to ’Al-Shabaab’.. That is worrying as the NCIC and CS Nkaissery would never do what they did to several of the MPs or legislators recently, as they cannot revoke or fire the cabinet members and council-members of the NCIC. That is why they would never express grievences against Ruto and his words to CORD. Peace.

Reference:

Barasa, Lucas – ‘Stop the anti-IEBC protests, DP Ruto urges Cord’ (11.06.2016) link: http://www.nation.co.ke/news/-/1056/3244968/-/phndx9z/-/index.html

Ouida, Rushdie & Oketch, Angela – ‘Why Joho is now a force in Cord and national politics’ (12.06.2016) link: http://www.nation.co.ke/news/why-Joho-is-now-a-force-in–Cord-and-national-politics/-/1056/3245760/-/mv8n6q/-/index.html

CORD Statement on Suspension of Thursday Anti-IEBC Protests (15.06.2016)

Cord Presser 06.06.2016

Last weekend, we announced the suspension of anti-IEBC protests that were scheduled for last Monday because we were convinced that there were positive and fruitful engagements with the Jubilee administration that seemed to be heading in the right direction and that a peaceful and speedy resolution of the IEBC stand -off was in the horizon. We however did indicate that our programmes for demonstrations would resume on Thursday in the event that no serious progress was witnessed before then.

Since then, much more progress has been made and a lot of ground covered on the sticking issues. We see political will and rays of good faith being exhibited by all parties and a conducive and enabling environment created, although we are yet to conclude discussions on a few but equally important issues.

We therefore wish to inform all our supporters and the country at large that CORD has once again agreed to call off Thursday protests to create a conducive environment for the conclusion of talks on the two or three issues that remain outstanding.

cord_drums_up_support_for_okoa_kenya_referendum_bill28561285612856128561_L

We reiterate once more that as CORD, we hold no cards under the table and 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.

However, we are deeply concerned about developments in the last few days where our MPs have been detained without trial or charges being proffered against them. The MPs are also being held incommunicado.

We think this environment cannot be sustained to make progress in the dialogue. In the circumstances, Jubilee should conclude expeditiously their response to the issues we have raised and the persecution of our members and leadership must cease. All these unless resolved will see us resume our demonstrations on Monday 20th and Thursday 23rd, 2016.

SEN. JAMES ORENGO

HON. DR. SIMIYU ESELI

Arrested CORD and Jubilee legislators file an appeal against decision to detain them (Youtube-Clip)

“8 legislators from both CORD and Jubilee this morning through their lawyers have filed an appeal against a decision to have them detained until Friday over alleged hate remarks. The legislators are arguing that their arrest goes against the right to post bail, a claim that the office of the director of public prosecution refutes claiming that the legilators will interefere with police investigations. The 8, Moses Kuria, Ferdinand Waititu, Aisha Jumwa, Florence Mutua, Johnstone Muthama, Junet Mohammed, Timothy Bosire And Kimaani Ngunjiri were arrested yesterday following public outcry over alleged remarks made in public believed to amount to incitement and hate speech” (KTN News, 2016).

Kenya: Aisha Juma & Timothy Bosire charge sheets (14.06.2016)

Charge Sheet 14.06.2016 P1

Charge Sheet 14.06.2016 P2

Senator Bony Khalwale shouted down by an angry woman at a funeral in Kakamega (Youtube-Clip)

“In Kakamega, Senator Bony Khalwale found himself in trouble when he took politics to a funeral in Burimbuli village. Khalwale had just launched a scathing attack on Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya when a woman grabbed the microphone, cut short his speech and told the legislator to take his war to another forum. The woman even moved closer to the Khalwale and told him to hold his tongue, reminding him that the function was a funeral and not a political rally. Here is part of that uncomfortable moment for the outspoken senator” (KTN News, 2016)

Press Statement: President Kenyatta issues stern warning to the opposition (10.06.2016)

Uhuru 10.06.2016 P3 JPG

The government will not tolerate any more destruction of property by the opposition under the cover of peaceful protests.

President Uhuru Kenyatta said stern action will be taken against anyone who destroys public or private property while claiming to be holding peaceful demonstrations. The President also called on those who take part in the opposition demonstrations over the IEBC to use their intelligence and stop provoking security officers. The President said it was laughable for someone to throw stones at armed officers and expect that the policemen will enjoy the treatment. President Kenyatta said such foolhardy people will only have themselves to blame.

“We will not allow demonstrations to be used to destroy any property,” said the President when he spoke in Tala where he launched development projects. The President gave his warning after observing that the opposition was not genuinely interested in dialogue over the IEBC. President Kenyatta said even after the Jubilee government nominated MPs to sit in a select committee of Parliament, the opposition appears to be backtracking even though it had used the excuse of wanting dialogue to cause destruction of property and lose of lives. President Kenyatta also told the leaders of the opposition not to entertain any thoughts of him sitting down to discuss issues concerning the IEBC with them.

Uhuru 10.06.2016 P2 JPG

“I have no business sitting down with you.  I was elected to steer the development of this country. This other issues are the roles of Members of Parliament,” the President said. Deputy President William Ruto said it was comical for the opposition to appear confounded just when the Government has agreed to have real dialogue on the issue of IEBC. “They have been protesting and saying they want dialogue. We told them it is alright, let us form a select committee then they start retreating. Apparently, they did not even know why they were protesting,” the Deputy President said.

The DP urged politicians to stop being selfish and putting their interest before that of the citizens. “It must not be which position I will get. It must be about how to change the life of the ordinary Kenyan,” said the DP. He said the protests the opposition has been holding will not help Kenyans because it is about the selfish interest of some group of politicians. Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua said the people of Ukambani have no time for the protests because they love peace and are also busy trying to improve their welfare. Governor Mutua said he wants to roll out a National ID card registration program in  Machakos county on every Monday to coincide with the day the opposition has been holding protests.

Uhuru 10.06.2016 P1 Road

“We also want to ask the IEBC to issue the people of this area with voters cards on every Thursday,” said the Govenor. The public rally at Tala was addressed by many legislators who said that the people of the region were supportive of the development initiatives of the Government. The President addressed the rally after launching the tarmacking of the Tala-Oldonyo Sabuk-Kilimambogo Road at the cost of more than Ksh1 billion. The launch of the project marked the beginning of the President’s tour of Ukambani where he will launch development projects and meet local leaders as well us interact with the public.

CORD Statement on the IEBC (10.06.2016)

Cord 10.06.2016

10th June 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.

Cord 10.06.2016 P2

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.