CORD turns heat on Nkaissery, Kaparo over legislators arrest

CORD turns heat on Nkaissery, Kaparo over legislators arrest

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) has hit out at Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery over the arrest of their legislators last week.

Addressing the press after a lunch meeting with seven of the eight legislators, CORD leader Raila Odinga accused Nkaissery of dictatorship saying his tendencies to issue orders are synonymous with military ranks.

He warned that the coalition would not be cowed in its push for the reformation of IEBC noting that Kenyans have no faith with the electoral body.

Nkaissery has, however, rubbished the ‘dictator’ tag saying he is not to blame for the arrest of the legislators.

Speaking in Kajiado on Monday, Nkaissery said that he does not have the powers to arrest anyone though adding that the arrests and detentions were warranted owing to the allegations leveled against the legislators.

“Political leaders are out saying I have dictatorial tendencies and that I orchestrated the arrest of the eight legislators. They should know I do not have the powers to arrest anyone because that is the work of the law, but the arrests of the legislators were warranted.”

“You must be ready to take responsibility for your utterances, and this does not just apply to political leaders but all Kenyans. If this is what dictatorship mean, then we will not relent,” he said.

Raila also cautioned the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) chair Francis ole Kaparo against attempts to micromanage the country saying the legislators have a right to raise concerns over issues affecting the country.

His sentiments were echoed by CORD co-principals Moses Wetangula and Kalonzo Musyoka who said they will not fall prey to Jubilee’s propaganda.

Wetangula said that it was their right as leaders to express dissatisfaction over national issues like corruption and land grabbing in their bid to build a better country.

The Ford Kenya leader further equated Kaparo to a dog that does not bite saying there is need for the commission to get serious in executing its mandate.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka called on Kenyans to unite against acts of intimidation and push on with the reformation of IEBC to ensure a free and fair election.

The legislators; MPs Moses Kuria (Gatundu South) and Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati) of Jubilee, and CORD’s Junet Mohammed (Suna East MP), Timothy Bosire (Kitutu Masaba MP), Women Representatives Aisha Jumwa (Kilifi) and Florence Mutua (Busia) and Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama each gave an account of their experience in the cells saying it is unity that kept them going.

Kuria and Ngunjiri were categorical that they envisioned a country that was united and allowed political leaders to campaign at their rivals turfs without eliciting ethnic protests.

Only Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu missed the lunch meeting, with sources indicating he had opted to attend a burial ceremony.

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CORD raila odinga JUBILEE Moses Kuria

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