Jubilee will support CORD’s call to disband IEBC – Moses Kuria

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has expressed willingness to support calls by the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) for the disbandment of Independence Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Speaking at Nyaribari Chache during the launch of Kisii Youth Forum Edition on Wednesday, Kuria said that as Jubilee Legislators they would not block CORD’s plan to send IEBC commissioners home over apparent ineptitude to handle the next elections.

“CORD was part of the team that formed IEBC and if they think the commission is not credible to oversee the next polls then we will support them in disbanding it. But we insist that the correct channel should be used in airing their grievances,” said Kuria.

The MP congratulated CORD for suspending their weekly protests and expressing interest in engaging with Jubilee to find an amicable solution to the IEBC impasse, condemning the protests which led to the death of three people, leaving several others injured.

“I would like to congratulate CORD for making a turnabout and suspending the protests. We are ready to hold discussions with them so that we can iron out the pressing issues involving the IEBC,” said Kuria.

“A country cannot be built through protests and tears. We cannot progress if others go to their tea plantations to work while others are going to the streets to protest.”

Kuria, however, stated that he knew the protests were bound to fail saying demonstrations cannot be used to achieve any political agenda.

The announcement by CORD to suspend the protests have received wide acclamation across religious and political quotas with many seeing it as a move in the right direction.

Tongaren Friends Church leader Dr Abraham Wamukekhe praised the move, urging the government to embrace CORD’s calls for dialogue to seek solutions to the IEBC issue.

In an announcement Wednesday, the coalition called off their countrywide protests slated for Mondays to pave way for dialogue on the matter.

Siaya Senator James Orengo, however, said that their parallel Madaraka Day rally will go ahead as planned adding that they have written to Nairobi County Commander to notify him of the rally.

In the letter dated May 23rd, 2016, and signed by CORD CEO Norman Magaya, the coalition said they have already secured Uhuru Park as the venue for their rally from Nairobi City County.

Though CORD claims the rally is aimed at celebrating liberties and freedoms and reaffirm the quest for constitutionalism in Kenya, it is largely seen as another venue to further their calls for the removal of IEBC commissioners from office.

Majority Leader Aden Duale has however urged CORD to stop the protests in totality though insisting that any dialogue on the removal of IEBC commissioners should adhere to the laid down Constitutional procedure.

This sets up another battlefront since CORD has ruled out the possibility of taking part in any discussions organised by Parliament’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee.

@benjaminwafula