SHOWDOWN LOOMS as CORD MPs block chamber ahead of special sitting

A showdown is looming in the National Assembly as Coalitions for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) MPs have blocked the entrance to the chambers for a special sitting called by Speaker Justin Muturi – a sitting that was meant to debate proposed changes to the electoral laws.

The Opposition MPs – led by Millie Odhiambo, Fred Outa, Irshad Sumra – argued that the special sitting is illegal, claiming that CORD was not consulted.

CORD MPs are also opposing Jubilee’s proposed changes to the electoral laws.

Jubilee had proposed a raft of changes to the elections law, including the reinstating of manual voting system in situations where electronic voting fails.

The Opposition has fervently opposed the proposal, insisting that the whole process must be carried out electronically.

In a press conference on Monday, December 19, the Opposition condemned the convening of the special Parliamentary sitting, saying that Jubilee wants to mutilate the elections law.

“When we passed the Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2016, we thought it was a perfect solution to issues of vote stealing and stuffing,” said CORD co-principal, Moses Wetangula during the presser.

The Opposition has now threatened to call for mass protests should the Jubilee legislators amend the law, saying that the government intends to use the proposed system to rig the 2017 polls.

On their part, Jubilee has accused the Opposition of underhandedness in the procurement of IEBC electronic voting system , alleging that the Raila Odinga led camp is planning to hack the system come 2017.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, December 18, 2016 in Nairobi, Majority Leader Aden Duale alleged that CORD has seconded Michael Yard to help IEBC in procuring the election technology.

Duale said that Yard, who is an American, has been masquerading in the country as a Canadian, further alleging that he was behind the failures the vote transmission system in 2013.