Mudavadi raises questions over Uhurus gesture on IEBC

Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi has praised President Uhuru Kenyatta’s move to end the IEBC stalemate, though raising reservations over a number of issues featured in the President’s speech.

In a statement, Mudavadi said that while the President’s gesture instills optimism on the resolution of the outstanding issues that had prompted opposition coalition CORD to hold streets protests over the past weeks, his announcement that the talks will only be limited to IEBC could prejudice and compromise structural reforms of the entire electoral system.

The ANC leader hoped the President’s move was sincere and not a Public Relations gimmick aimed at winning public support.

“The President by now realizes that it did not have to be a painful decision. This is a good initial show of goodwill and decent leadership by the President,” he said.

“I hope the final agreed process will put premium on expeditious execution of the limited mandate.”

After weeks of protests by CORD, President Kenyatta on Wednesday seemed to have heeded their call for dialogue by announcing the formation of joint committee to discuss pressing issues touching on IEBC.

Speaking after meeting religious leaders and speakers of the National Assembly and the Senate, President Kenyatta said that they had agreed on the formation of a joint select committee of both houses of Parliament to be setup in accordance with the standing orders of both houses.

“We expect that other initiatives by Parliament will harmonize their work within the framework of the joint select committee. The mandate of the committee will, however, be strictly and exclusively the matter of IEBC,” said the President.

“As the leader of Jubilee, I have convened a meeting of the Parliamentary Group Thursday morning to agree on the membership and Jubilee’s participation in 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.

Uhuru also called on CORD to soften their stand on the issue and agree on seeking a resolution on the matter.

CORD leader Raila Odinga has welcomed the President’s announcement saying they will meet as a coalition and discuss the way forward.

@benjaminwafula