Speaking after the meeting, CORD leader Raila Odinga described the report as all inclusive pointing out that the views from both the Jubilee Government and the Opposition had been included and urged every legislator to support it/CFM NEWS
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 23 – The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy co-principals on Tuesday morning held a Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting to marshal support for the report on the removal of commissioners at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) ahead of its debate Wednesday in both the National Assembly and Senate.
Speaking after the meeting, CORD leader Raila Odinga described the report as all inclusive pointing out that the views from both the Jubilee Government and the Opposition had been included and urged every legislator to support it.
He emphasised the need for the Joint Select Committee to now work hard and ensure that new IEBC Commissioners are in place to oversee next year’s General Election.
“Kenyans were not mad to go to the streets. It was after all other means had failed that we asked the people to come out. We therefore thank the patriotic people of Kenya for heeding the call and getting us where we are today,” he said.
He stated that the wishes of Kenyans should be respected during the polls and congratulated the Joint Committee for the compromises and concessions they had to make to come up with an all inclusive document.
“This was ultimately a negotiated process and we appointed a joint team and we want to congratulate them, both the CORD team together with that from the Jubilee team headed by Senator Kiraitu Murungi.”
He stated that the coalition will fully support the report without any amendments and emphasised that they would support the winner of the elections next year.
His sentiments were echoed by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka who stated that the report should not be amended in any way but should be passed as it is.
“It is possible for people to meet at the level of the National Assembly and the Senate to meet and begin to look at the narrow political interests. Therefore they should begin to deliver on this process. I can assure you that the country will not accept anything less than what has been achieved,” he stated.
While expressing support for it, Musyoka called on legislators from both sides of the political divide to support it since it has been negotiated in good faith
He stated that as a coalition, they will not accept anything less than what has been achieved.
Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula who is a CORD co-principal further stressed that the new commissioners should ensure that Kenyans get free, fair and credible elections.
“I hereby having received the report, having read through it before the formal handing over to me today, having understood it fully and appreciated the content hereby pronounce my total and unequivocal support of the outcome of the mediated process,” he stated.
Senators will once again have to interrupt their month-long vacation as a special sitting has been called for them to debate the report of the Joint Select Committee on electoral reforms.
The special sitting will be held Wednesday with the report of the committee chaired by two members of the House, Siaya Senator James Orengo and Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi, top of the agenda.
In the National Assembly, Majority Leader Aden Duale confirmed that the report will be debated on Wednesday afternoon.
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