Jubilee hits back at Raila after State of the Nation address

Legislators from the Jubilee Coalition have hit back at CORD leader Raila Odinga following Tuesday’s ‘State of the Nation’ address.

The legislators accused CORD of inciting the public to violence, noting that their remarks against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) were tailored to dim public confidence in the institution.

“Odinga’s unwarranted attacks on IEBC, the Judiciary and the Executive are aimed at fomenting a credibility crisis with an intention of leading the country into anarchy.”

“It is contradictory for CORD to blame Jubilee for undermining institutions of governance yet at the same time calling for unorthodox means to deal with the IEBC.”

Jubilee said that Odinga was part of the regime that created the IEBC under the grand coalition government and appointed the commission to replace the defunct ECK.

“The IEBC is a constitutional body and there are constitutional provisions which CORD should pursue to make any changes,” they noted.

Jubilee dispelled Odinga’s claims of a plan to rig the 2017 elections saying it is a larger scheme by the Opposition to cause unrest in the country.

“The call by CORD to Kenyans to take up arms is criminal, primitive, backward and retrogressive,” stated Jubilee.

“But we want to warn the CORD Coalition and Raila Odinga in particular that their scheme to cause mayhem and chaos will not succeed.”

The legislators accused the ODM leader of making wild statements to create fear and panic in the country, saying it is not surprising that the coalition is against the formation of a national party or movement.

“The desire by Kenyans for unity and the subsequent success of the formation of the Jubilee Party has dawned on CORD that their ethnic political enterprise is destined for failure.”

They said that the Jubilee Administration’s agenda on national security, economic governance, war on graft, infrastructure development and the delivery of its electoral promises are firmly on course, saying it has proven beyond doubt that it shows commitment in the fight against corruption.

“For the first time in the history of the country, the president has personally rallied the country, government, private sector and all other actors in the fight against corruption,” they said.

“The government has provided more funding to EACC, DPP and Auditor General’s office to improve capacity and discharge their mandate. “

They noted that, due to the government’s commitment, 375 cases are currently being prosecuted, saying it is the highest record in the country.

“CORD’s lamentations about the management of the affairs of the country have nothing to do with integrity or good governance: it is all about personal interest, populism and an attempt to falsify a moral high ground.”

Odinga was also accused of failing to produce evidence on his Eurobond allegations with Jubilee stating that if the ODM party leader had factual information, he would have made it public.

They also dismissed CORD’s OKOA Kenya referendum push as a plot to mutilate the Constitution.

The Jubilee legislators said they would not agree on any form of negotiations with CORD, noting that “the Constitution does not have a provision for a Coalition Government.”

The rejoinder comes a day after CORD held a press conference to highlight government’s apparent failures and outline their agenda for 2016.

Jubilee leaders present at the press conference included National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, Nominated MP Johnson Sakaja, Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen among others.

By @benjaminwafula