Time is running out, Raila tells Uhuru as Saba Saba approaches

By ALLAN KISIA and MICHAEL OLLINGA

Friday, June 27th 2014

CORD leaders Raila Odinga and Moses Wetangula pass through the streets of Eldoret town on their way to Eldoret 64 Stadium to address their supporters Friday. [PHOTO: TITUS MUNALA]

Eldoret, Kenya: Opposition leader Raila Odinga has told President Uhuru Kenyatta to respond quickly to demands for national dialogue, saying time is running out as the much-hyped Saba Saba rally nears.

Raila was speaking in Eldoret in a rally that had been dogged by security fears following a ban by local leaders led by Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago. The rally was, however, peaceful as security was beefed up and no ugly incidents were reported.

“I am telling my brother, let us talk while we still can. We only have about 10 days left,” he told a huge crowd at 64 Stadium.
However, Raila did not say what the Opposition would do should the President decline to meet them for dialogue. Several contingents of police officers were deployed in the outskirts of Eldoret town and were on standby through out the day. The rally was allowed on Thursday after Mr Mandago consulted with local CORD leaders.

High cost of living

Raila castigated Kenyatta’s government and the local leadership for trying to ban opposition rallies, saying nothing would stop CORD.

“You cannot intimidate the Opposition by telling us what to do and what not to do,” he stated.

He criticised the Government for failing to address security concerns and mocked claims that high-profile crimes were being investigated. “Every time people die, they say they will investigate, they will leave no stone unturned. I wonder how many stones they have turned so far,” he said.

Accompanying him were senators Moses Wetang’ula, James Orengo, Otieno Kajwang’, Johnstone Muthama and MPs Jakoyo Midiwo and Junette Mohammed.

He said the rallies offered an opportunity to consult with Kenyans. During the rally, ordinary citizens were given an opportunity to speak on matters ranging from security, youth and jobs, farming and infrastructure. “The rallies are a meeting with the people. The sovereignty of Kenyans is vested on the people,” he added.

Wetang’ula, CORD co-principal, reiterated that the country had failed in executing numerous vital mandates, prompting them to pursue their oversight responsibility as the alternative government.

“This is a unique meeting where we are getting the people’s voices, they have raised a raft of concerns which we feel the Government should do something about,” he said.

The Bungoma Senator observed that insecurity, high cost of living, corruption and tribalism are issues affecting all Kenyans and wondered why the Government has been hard-headed to engage them in finding a solution.

He said there is urgent need for dialogue because it is the only remaining avenue to reverse the suffering of Kenyans and urged the President to meet with the Opposition before Saba Saba day comes.

Ignored grievances

“The MPs have failed to represent the people that voted for them, if the leaders cannot lead then the people they lead can lead them because the Government belongs to the citizens,” he explained.

According to Wetang’ula the sovereignty of the Government is vested in people and that is why they will go back to the electorate to confront the leadership that has ignored their grievances.

Midiwo said the Jubilee leadership should address the real issues facing Kenyans. “We are not begging for dialogue anyway, we are telling the Government that things are not well as people continue to die in various parts of the country. We need to know why Kenyans are angry with each other and devise a strategy to stem the hate,” he said.

Raila criticised Uasin Gishu leaders for opposing the CORD rally. “No state of emergency had been declared in Eldoret. If we can’t hold a rally in Eldoret then who can?” he wondered.

He continued: “Our licence in Eldoret was issued on June 16 and then on June 24 it was revoked on security grounds. It is the responsibility of the police to ensure security. That is what they are paid for,” he added.