CORD Drums up Support for Okoa Kenya Referendum Bill

Led by ODM chairperson John Mbadi, Siaya Senator James Orengo and Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama, the coalition parties said the Jubilee government had failed in its mandate and urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to resign for failing to curb insecurity in the country.

“The Jubilee government has failed Kenyans and for that reason we ask them to step aside so that we can have fresh elections,” said Mbadi.

Orengo, however, said the opposition will not agree to go to the next elections with the current Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials in office stating that this is one of the things that the Bill seeks to address.

“As CORD, we will not agree to go to the next elections with the current IEBC officials led by Isaack Hassan still in office and this is one of the issues that this Bill seeks to address,” he said.

The move comes as Jubilee leaders, led by Deputy President William Ruto, dismissed the referendum calls saying they are a plot by opposition leader Raila Odinga to gain relevance ahead of 2017 elections.

Speaking at Kinoru Methodist Church in Meru County, Ruto said the calls by CORD are baseless adding that the government is focused on transforming the country.

“The opposition cannot see anything good that the Jubilee government has done because all they want is elections,” he said.

Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi supported Ruto’s sentiments, saying cord’s referendum calls are  uncalled for and a move by Raila to re-launch his 2017 presidential bid. 

Meanwhile, IEBC is currently scrutinising the referendum bill, a process that must be completed within 90 days.

If the electoral body okays the bill, it will be taken to the county assemblies where 24 out of the 47 assemblies must support it for it to sail through to the National Assembly and Senate for debate.