The Strength Of NASA Lies In Their Disunity

Opposition Chiefs - Kalonzo, Raila And Wetangula | Image Courtesy

Every political pundit acknowledges that it will never be a walk in the park for the opposition to get the current government out of power. 

If you've ever followed Kenyan politics closely, one fact is now evident; the opposition will remain as strong as they continue to lack a presidential candidate! Well, this may sound stranger than fiction, but it's a fact.

The longer the opposition can stay whilst figuring who their flag bearer will be, the stronger they will remain. And if they can come up with a system where all the principals are treated as equals before and after elections, then they will definately give the new Jubilee outfit a good run for their money.  

And for the opposition to win the next elections, they must learn from Matiangi , and do things differently. It should never matter who carries their flag, as long as they remain united to a common course.

But the sad truth is, wasipojipanga, watazidi kupangwa.

CORD Declines to Issue Nomination Certificates to ODM’s Homabay Defectors

ODM’s Homabay Senatorial Seat aspirants got a rude shock this week when CORD’s Deputy Party Leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, announced that the coalition’s affiliate parties will not issue nomination certificates to other contestants in the forthcoming Homabay Senatorial elections.

This, he said, was to guarantee the coalition’s chances of retaining the vacant seat which was left behind after the death of Otieno Jakwang’.

Was CORD's Sabasaba Rally A Success?

CORD's Principals Addressing A Rally At Uhuru Park

Thank God, today's country's political temperature has cooled down and at least, most people have the opportunity to go about their varied  duties. 

'Ignore CORD's Rallies And Support Jubilee Government' - Alfred Mutua Tells His Constituents

Alfred Mutua | Image Credit: Daily Nation

Kamba leaders and their supporters were on Sunday urged to ignore the pre-planned mass action by CORD and support President Uhuru Kenyatta and his government. Machakos governor Dr Alfred Mutua, urged the community to instead support Jubilee government and give it time to deliver her promise. 

WIPER Member of Parliament Has LOST HIS SEAT after Succesful Petition By Opponent

Matungulu Member of Parliament Stephen Mule has lost his seat after the High Court in Machakos ruled there was poll irregularities during the March 4 elections.

High Court Judge Lilian Mutende in her ruling said Mr Mule, who contested the Matungulu parliamentary seat on a Wiper Democratic Movement ticket, was not validly elected as MP.

Four petitioners who were losers in the polls Thomas Malinda Musau, Stephen Ndambuki Muli, John Makenzi and a former MP Moffat Maithya filed a petition against Mr Mule soon after the polls.

CORD Senators and Governors converge in Mombasa this weekend for a retreat

Kethi Kilonzo To Vie For Makueni County Seat

Kethi Kilonzo

Politician Kalembe Ndile has urged Kethi Kilonzo, daughter of the late Makueni senator Mutula Kilonzo, to plunge into politics.

Speaking at Kalos Hotel in Machakos town, Ndile said Kethi should contest for the seat since she had proved to be as gallant and brainy as her father was.

"I am willing to unconditionally offer her a TIP ticket nomination in honor of her late dad," he said.

Ndile said he had gone round the county and most people he had met had suggested that she contest in the forthcoming by-elections.

He said it would augur well for women in leadership to have her as the first elected lady senator in the country.

Cord Pulls All Its Members Out Of All House Parliamentary Committees

CORD - Coalition For Reforms and Democracy

Nairobi, Kenya: CORD has withdrawn its members from all parliamentary committees until it gets chairmanship and majority members in key watchdog committees.

CORD wants to head and have majority members in the Public Investment Committee ( PIC) and Public Accounts Committee ( PAC).

Accusations were traded on Monday over claims that MPs allied to CORD had plotted an amendment of Standing Orders last January.

This led to a rift between Jubilee and CORD over membership of the two watchdog committees.

The repealed Standing Orders provided that the opposition parties shall have majority of one in membership of PIC AND PAC.

The new rules provides that membership of committees is based on party strength in the House meaning that Jubilee Coalition controls all committees.

Raila Hits Out At Chief Justice Willy Mutunga

CORD leader Raila Odinga today hit out at Chief Justice Willy Mutunga for the first time since the Supreme Court upheld the election of Uhuru Kenyatta as Kenya’s fourth President. Speaking at JKIA after arriving from London this morning, Raila said that Mutunga should not complain that he has been offended by the reaction of some  Kenyans to the Supreme Court’s ruling; “When the Chief Justice says he is offended, he should know that there are Kenyans out there who are more offended than him,” said Raila.

The former Prime Minister also said that his legal team had presented enough evidence before the Supreme Court to warrant a fresh election; “Remember that 800 pages of our evidence was struck out with a stroke of the pen. Then the same court goes ahead to say that there was no evidence, is this justice or injustice,” he posed.

Raila also reiterated his previous attack on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) saying the commission has lost its credibility and cannot be relied on to deliver a free and fair election; “We had a lot of evidence showing the misconduct of IEBC, even the court said that IEBC should be investigated. This IEBC must be reformed, Kenyans cannot afford to go into another election with this IEBC,” he said. 

Raila was received at JKIA by Johnston Muthama, Mpuri Aburi, Elizabeth Ongoro, Francis Nyenze and other CORD officials.

Raila Odinga In UK

Raila Amolo Odinga

Raila Amolo Odinga departed for the United Kingdom (UK). While in UK, Raila is expected to address the Times CEO Africa Summit with the hope of attracting investors to Kenya. He reiterated that He had confidence in demonstrating the potential that lies in the Kenyan people to the International World and convince them that Kenya is where they ought to invest. 
  
Hon. Odinga is expected to deliver a keynote address at the Savoy Hotel at 1945 hours to the participants, including H.E. President John Mahama of the Republic of Ghana, among other distinguished personalities, amongst which will be prominent political figures, Chairmen of Companies with current or potential interests in Africa and key investors.

The focus of the Summit will be the prospects for African trade, investment and growth. This will be the third annual Africa Summit, with last year’s speakers having been Tony Blair, Founder of the Africa Governance Initiative, former President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria and Morgan Tsvangirai,Prime Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe. Hon. Odinga,who is being accompanied on the trip by an Aide,Mr. Eliud Owalo,is due back in the Country on Friday 3rd May 2013.

 Decision Times Wishes him all the best in such noble endeavor and Safe Journey mercies. 

Should Raila Odinga be in Parliament?

By Salim Lone.

 

Many of you responded to my brief post on social media regarding Raila Odinga and Devolution yesterday by asking me to encourage him not to return to Parliament. I cannot ask him this - he has already told me he does not wish to do that, and he has said so publicly in any case. But what prompted these friends’ requests to me is the continuing clamor for Raila Odinga to return to Parliament.

At one level this reaffirmation of people’s support for Mr Odinga is wonderful to behold, and must also give him good solace at a time when he is personally grappling with a second loss of a presidency in very questionable circumstances. But this extended debate on his return to Parliament is distracting attention from so many other issues that Kenyans need to focus on at this time.

I too feel he would do much better if he is freed of the challenges of managing day-to-day politics and focuses instead on building his party as well as a national movement for change involving civil society, professionals, trade unionists and others. Njeri Osaak in her extended response yesterday also spelled out many good reasons why Parliament is not the right place for Raila anymore. Do read her posting.

Part of this clamour for Raila Odinga's return to Parliament reflects a misunderstanding of our political system. One does not have to be in Parliament to influence this country’s direction and evolution. Raila’s own father Jaramogi spent long periods out of Parliament but continued to be a powerful political force. A number of other Kenyans who fought against overwhelming odds under Kanu rule to give us the freedoms we now enjoy did so in their non-parliamentary lives.

There is no objective way to determine whether Raila can do more for us from within or outside Parliament. So that decision is entirely his, If this current campaign to convince him to change his position on this issue succeeds, I will not complain. But this discussion should end soon.

Did You Vote For Raila Odinga?

“I would like to thank every Kenyan that supported our movement, CORD, and voted for me and my brother, Kalonzo Musyoka in the just concluded elections. I would also like to thank all those that voted for our electoral opponents, you played your rightful part in growing our democracy.
I thank all of the Old Guard who stood by us and advised us. I especially wish to thank all of the young people who volunteered sacrificing their time, resources and energy in campaigning for CORD. I try to read as many of your messages as possible on Facebook and Twitter. You are all truly appreciated.
You all believed in me and I believe in you. Together, we can make Kenya a prosperous nation that is the envy of all the world. Keep working, keep trying...For Kenya! I will also do the same!”

Raila Promises To Be Involved in The Government

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said he will work with Cord's 24 governors to implement the coalition’s manifesto. Mr Odinga said Cord has majority governors elected during General Election and will use them fulfil promises they made during the campaigns.

Speaking at Mombasa County Hall on Thursday when he met governor Hassan Joho and ODM's 30 ward representatives, Mr Odinga said he will work with donors who are willing to fund Cord to fulfill its promises.

“We have to continue seeking more donors to help the 24 governors propel their agendas and that of Cord as they serve their people at their respective counties,” said Mr Odinga. He added: “We shall explore all the avenues to prove to Kenyans that Cord meant to transform their lives and we shall do so through supporting counties headed by our party governors.”

Mr Odinga also urged the members of national assembly to address issues of debts inherited by County governments from previous local authorities. He proposed the writing off of such debts to help the devolved governments run their systems effectively.

He also asked the national government to iron out issues on sharing of revenue from national parastatals such as port of Mombasa so that people in the counties can also benefit from them. “The Transition Authority has stated clearly in its recent advertisement that harbours and ferries belong to county government. But the national government has not stated how the county will get its share,” said Mr Odinga.

During the meeting, Mr Joho said the his office has inherited Sh2.8 billion from the Mombasa Municipal Council and urged the national government to release devolution funds to kick start county operations. “It is frustrating that national government was supposed to release some funds to assist in the recruitment and other County operations but until today we have not received anything from the treasury. We are asking those involved to check on the matter to ensure County operations do not stall,” he said. Mr Joho also warned former council workers to shape up and embrace change so as to achieve the county’s set mission.