| PHOTO: | Coalition for Reforms and Democracy members Senators Johnstone Muthama (left) and James Orengo address the media at their Capitol Hill office in Nairobi on May 19, 2016. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP |
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By:
PETER LEFTIE
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| Posted:
May,25-2016 14:51:48
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The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) in Kenya has called off its weekly protests to push for the removal of electoral commission officials, averting another round of deadly confrontations with the Police.
The Cord's co-convenors James Orengo and Johnstone Muthama announced at a press conference on Wednesday that the move was aimed at giving dialogue and peace "a chance."
However, they said, the move is only temporary to allow the Jubilee government to engage in dialogue.
The suspension, he said, will be lifted unless the government demonstrates a genuine desire to engage in talks aimed at ending the stalemate over the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
"If no word comes from Jubilee by June 5, we will prove to the world what really demonstrations mean," the Machakos Senator warned.
The two senators explained that the decision had been taken following mounting calls for dialogue from religious leaders and the international community.
On Tuesday, Kenya's twelve main donors condemned Monday's violent protests against the electoral commission and called for talks in a bid to avoid the possibility of the chaos spilling to the next elections.
In a statement, the twelve Western diplomats sounded an alarm at the growing trend of demonstrations.
"Violence will not resolve the issues regarding the future of the IEBC or ensure the 2017 elections are free and credible," the envoys said.
"We strongly urge all Kenyans to come together to de-escalate the situation and to resolve their differences, taking every opportunity for inclusive dialogue," they added.
The diplomats who signed the statement included US Ambassador Robert Godec, European Head of Delegation Stefano-Antonio Dejak and UK High Commissioner Nic Hailey.
Others were High Commissioners John Feakes (Australia), Roxane de Bilderling (Belgium), David Angell (Canada) and Ambassadors Mette Knudsen (Denmark), Remi Marechaux (France), Jutta Frasch (Germany), Victor Rønneberg (Norway), Frans Makken (the Netherlands) and Johan Borgstam (Sweden).
THREE KILLED
They were reacting to clashes between demonstrators and anti-riot police in which three people were killed as Cord leaders and supporters protested in eight counties seeking to eject IEBC commissioners from office.
Two people were reported dead in Siaya and another in Kisumu following the demos. There were similar protests in Mombasa, Kakamega, Migori, Nakuru, Meru and Homa Bay. Nine people were arrested and charged with taking part in an unlawful assembly.
"We remain ready for and committed to dialogue as the best path out of the crisis facing our nation. In this regard therefore, Cord has resolved to temporarily suspend demonstrations that were scheduled for next Monday, May 30, 2016 to give dialogue and peace a chance. Instead, we shall hold forums to condole with the bereaved and comfort the wounded," Mr Muthama stated.
He warned of more intense weekly protests starting June 7 if the government ignores the calls for dialogue, which both he and Mr Orengo stressed, must involve all stakeholders and not just the parliamentary committee for justice and legal affairs.
"We are not going to accept the parliamentary legal committee; those are the instructions we have," said Mr Orengo.
"There must be some agreement outside parliament because sovereignty is not vested in MPs alone. Sovereignty lies with the people of Kenya," he added.
They appeared to be responding to a statement by Deputy President William Ruto who on Tuesday condemned the protests and asked them to channel their grievances through Parliament instead.
President Uhuru Kenyatta too has repeatedly asked the Cord team to seek the removal of IEBC bosses through Parliament, insisting that he has no powers to remove them himself.
The two senators said that Cord had a team ready to engage the government and other stakeholders in talks to find a solution to the IEBC matter. The team which they said had representation from other interest groups outside Cord will be unveiled in the course of the week.
Mr Muthama announced that the Opposition coalition would dedicate next week to the search for peace, justice and dialogue and will hold prayers for peace at Uhuru Park. He did not however disclose when the Uhuru Park prayers will be held.
"Our supporters in the counties will hold similar prayers in churches, mosques, temples and sanctuaries with specific appeal for peace and justice to prevail," he stated.
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