Jubilee softens stand on CORDs dialogue demands

Jubilee softens stand on CORDs dialogue demands

The Jubilee Government seems to have softened its stand on CORD’s demand for dialogue over the reformation of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

In an oblique change of tone, Senate Speaker Kithure Kindiki has called on CORD to form a team that would engage Jubilee on the issue of IEBC, and state where they would want the meeting held.

Speaking at Roret AIC in Bureti Constituency, Kindiki further urged CORD leaders to clearly state the agenda that would be discussed in the meeting in order to confine the dialogue to particular issues at the IEBC.

“If you think someone has contravened the Constitution, bring the allegations to Parliament and we will take action against them. You cannot march to their offices to remove them by force,” he said.

“We have no problem with CORD. They should tell us the agenda of the meeting and where we should meet and we will oblige,” he said.

Kindiki’s utterances seem to differ with Jubilee’s previous stand claiming the talks should be held in Parliament.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have in their previous utterances claimed that they are ready to engage CORD in dialogue but stating that the talks should be within the Constitution.

“I do not have power to remove IEBC, because such powers ended with the old Constitution. If CORD wants to remove the commissioners, they should go to Parliament where our team is waiting for them,” stated the president in a past address.

Despite Kindiki’s move to extend an olive branch to CORD, DP Ruto has maintained that CORD’s demand for dialogue should adhere to the Constitution.

Speaking on Sunday, Ruto accused CORD of contravening the Constitution in their political demands saying they should desist from discrediting constitutional bodies.

“CORD says they have a problem with IEBC, the courts, Parliament and Kenya Human Rights Commission. Does that mean they have no faith in the Constitution they helped pass in 2010?” he asked.

CORD has insisted that they would go on with their protests every Monday until IEBC commissioners vacate office but rescinded the decision to give dialogue a chance.

They have however claimed they will return to the streets if their demands for dialogue and not responded to by June 5, 2016.

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CORD Uhuru kenyatta william ruto

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