Evans Kidero Breaks Ranks with baba yenu Raila on Saba Saba

Daily Nation

Nairobi governor Evans Kidero differed with party leader Raila Odinga when he said the mass action planned by the Cord coalition would destabilise the country and scare away investors.

The governor spoke as debate about national dialogue took centre-stage at the weekend, with leaders opposing and supporting calls for Saba Saba mass action in equal measure.

Dr Kidero said he did not support the Cord public rallies either, and appealed to opposition leaders to find another avenue for addressing issues affecting the country.

“We should not be involved in activities that will affect the normal operations of the country,” he said.

Dr Kidero was speaking in Yimbo Village in Bondo during the burial the Mr Martin Okello Awuondo.

But the governor’s remarks were criticised by Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura who maintained that the Cord rallies would continue unless President Uhuru Kenyatta intervened.

Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda also said Parliament was not an avenue for national dialogue since only elected members views were allowed.

Cord, Dr Ochanda maintained, desired a dialogue inclusive of religious leaders, humans rights activist, business community and the public.

But yesterday, TNA secretary-general Onyango Oloo and nominated Senator Joy Gwendo said the National Assembly and the Senate were better placed to handle the issues raised by Cord.

“The National Alliance is not opposed to dialogue; but that dialogue must be done using the institutions within the Constitution,” said Mr Oloo, adding that Cord must not be allowed to take power through the back-door by engaging the Jubilee coalition in a shadowy push for dialogue.

Ms Gwendo, while addressing youth and women leaders in Nyalenda, Kisumu Town at the weekend, also said dialogue must be in Parliament.

“Cord is only using the dialogue call when their agenda is power,” she said.

However, Busia Senator Amos Wako, Governor Sospeter Ojaamong, Funyula MP Paul Otuoma and his Matayos counterpart Geoffrey Odanga, renewed their calls to President Kenyatta to give national dialogue a chance.

Mr Otuoma made a passionate appeal to President Kenyatta not to take a hardline stance and instead embrace the matters put forward by Mr Odinga for the sake of the unity and prosperity of the nation.

“We call on President Kenyatta to extend his hand to Mr Odinga so that we avoid these unnecessary confrontations which may end up dividing the country,” said Mr Otuoma.