Ford Kenya drafts Senator Khalwale into IEBC dialogue team

Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale has been drafted to Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD’s) dialogue team on IEBC, replacing Mogotio MP Hellen Sambili, Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula has said.

Speaking in Webuye on Saturday, Wetangula said the Opposition coalition was ready for the talks saying a reformed IEBC would ensure a free and fair election in 2017.

“We appreciate Jubilee’s willingness to hold dialogue on IEBC issue to ensure a peaceful election in 2017. Ford Kenya will be represented by Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu and bullfighter Bonny Khalwale to help in channeling a way forward on the issue,” he said.

The CORD co-principal further exuded confidence in winning the forthcoming elections saying only a dependable electoral commission will ensure Kenyans accept the results.

“I already have votes from this region and if I manage to get some more votes from your region and other parts of the country and win the next elections, I want Jubilee to accept the results…the same will be the case if Jubilee wins the elections.”

Khalwale will join other CORD legislators Senators Johnson Muthama (Machakos), Mutula Kilonzo (Makueni) and James Orengo (Siaya), MPs Eseli Simiyu (Tongaren), Junet Mohamed (Suna East) and Mombasa Women Representative Mishi Mboko in a seven member team that will represent CORD.

Jubilee’s team is composed of Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi with other members of the committee being Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, MPs Beatrice Elachi (nominated), Naomi Shaaban (Taveta), Moses Kuria (Gatundi South) and Jimmy Angweyi (Kitutu Chache North).

Sambili rejected the nomination saying neither her nor the people of Mogotio had been consulted before her nomination.

The legislator noted that she had been elected on a KANU ticket, a constituent of Jubilee adding that any communication on whether KANU has since moved to CORD and her involvement in the dialogue process should come from her party leaders.

The confusion on KANU’s stand on the IEBC issue came about after the party’s Secretary General Kick Salat was spotted in several anti-IEBC protests.

The party has also been a keen critic of Jubilee going to the extend of fielding Paul Sang to run against Jubilee Aaron Cheruiyot in the Kericho senatorial by-election in March this year.

@benjaminwafula