Moses Kuria among Jubilee members nominated for IEBC talks

Jubilee has nominated eleven members to the Joint Parliamentary Select Committee to dialogue with the opposition CORD over the IEBC stalemate.

The nominees are Senators Kiaritu Murungi (Meru), Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Beatrice Elachi (nominated), Fatuma Dullo (nominated), MPs Cecile Mbarire (Runyenjes), Naomi Shaaban (Taveta), Moses Kuria (Gatundi South), Jimmy Angweyi (Kitutu Chache North).

Others are Mumias MP Jomo Ben Washiali, Eng. Mohammed Mahmoud, Narok Woman Representative Soipan Tuyak.

The nomination comes just a day after President Uhuru Kenyatta agreed to name a team to dialogue with CORD over the IEBC issue.

In his address to the nation on Wednesday, President Kenyatta said that following consultations with speakers of the Senate and the National Assembly and religious leaders he had agreed to form a team that would seek to end the current impasse on IEBC.

“A joint select committee of both Houses of Parliament will be set up in accordance with Standing Orders of both Houses with keen mandate exclusively limited to the matter of IEBC,” Uhuru had stated.

“We expect that other initiatives by Parliament will harmonize their work within framework of the joint select committee.”

The president further noted that he had an obligation to defend the constitution calling on Kenyans to also work on protecting it.

He called on CORD to soften their stand on the issue and agree on seeking the resolutions on the matter.

After a meeting with religious leaders, however, CORD leaders rejected the president’s proposal saying it does not meet their demands.

The opposition coalition had last week named five legislators to represent it in dialogue over contentious issues including reformation of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The legislators include Siaya Senator James Orengo, his Machakos counterpart Johnson Muthama, Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed and Mombasa Women Representative Mishi Mboko.

@benjaminwafula