July 5, 2014
For Agostinho Neto, theirs is a quest for change. But to Kareke Mbiuki, it is all about Raila Odinga seeking a new lease of political life
by mercy mwai @wangumarci and Wanjohi Githae @wanjohigithae
Q: What in your view is Cord’s end game? What can Kenyans expect on Monday?
A: All that Cord wants is to push for changes. I think we are justified to hold the Saba Saba rally. The Constitution allows people to hold rallies. There is nothing wrong about that.
Q: Do you think Jubilee should dialogue with Cord to halt the tensions that are creeping in?
A: Leadership is about consultations and outcomes. If this country faces any form of violence, then it will not be about Jubilee or Cord but all Kenyans. Therefore, any form of dialogue should be encouraged by both parties for the sake of this country. I think Jubilee should give this dialogue a chance.
Q: In seeking dialogue, are the issues Cord raising valid?
A: Yes, they are legitimate issues. For instance, IEBC (Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission), we have a big problem. Being the arbiter of elections, we cannot have elections with one group having doubts. We have to deal with it. I think President Uhuru Kenyatta, despite him being the leader of Jubilee, should not take sides. He should convene a meeting to discuss this issue. Also on the issue of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission report, I think it is high time it is fully implemented in order to address historical injustices once and for all. On insecurity, this country has faced quite a number of attacks and that is why we are pushing to have these issues addressed.
Q: There is no doubt that the security situation in the country is worrying. How can this situation be arrested?
A: There is need to look at the security structures and have a new system in place. I think having a good system will help deal with these security challenges. I also think we need to refresh our systems. That is why we always have a new government in place after five years.
Q: Should Kenya withdraw her troops from Somalia?
A: Yes, we need to withdraw them. We went into Somalia with one thing in mind; to secure our country from terrorist attacks. But this has not helped at all. What we need to do now is to secure our borders. The other day, I visited Wajir county and I was left speechless. We have only 100 police officers yet we have a vast border there. It was really bad.
Q: Is Cord facing a crisis of leadership in the House?
A: No, it is not. There is no crisis in the House. I think we have demonstrated that as Cord that we have been playing our part. For example, when we defeated the Statute Law ( Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, we showed that we are doing quite something. In fact, we are better than Jubilee with their tyranny of numbers. They have not done much.
Q: There are reports that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating some parliamentary committees for corruption. Is it true the vice is rampant among MPs?
A: I am not able to say whether it is rampant among MPs or not. But if it is there, it is really unfortunate. I am glad that in the two committees that I serve, namely Justice and Legal Affairs and Delegated Legislation, there is no such thing because we only deal with laws.
Q: MCAs are on the spot for spending billions on foreign trips and allowances but MPs have previously been accused of the same? How can this wastage be stopped?
A: What we can do is to stop duplication of roles. This is where we have a big problem and when we address this we will reduce wastage. For example, we have the Senate and the National Assembly which carry out the same roles. Also we have a bloated Parliament. I think we should reduce the numbers so that we can reduce the wastage. On the other hand, I think the reason MCAs are spending money is because we rushed to devolve some of their functions, The president erred by allowing all functions to be devolved within the first year yet the law three years.
Q: What in your view is Cord’s end game. What can Kenyans expect on Monday?
A: Cord is Raila and Raila is Cord. Therefore, it is all about Raila Odinga. He just wants to reinvent the wheel and make himself relevant to Kenyans. He should stand informed that Kenyans are brighter than he thinks. If he wants to raise political temperatures, then he won’t benefit. He may lose more ground and end up with only Luo- Nyanza on his side. That said, Cord leadership has a right to assembly. The government should provide enough security for them to do their rallies. After that, they will go home. They may be planning anarchy and, therefore, the security apparatus should be on stand-by to prevent looting after the rally. We expect a peaceful rally but if there will be any violence, Cord will be held liable.
A: You can only dialogue within the constitutionally allowed framework. Plus, you just can’t demand some things yet you know the route to achieving them. For example, the President has nothing to do with disbanding the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). That is the work of Parliament. Some of those issues are, therefore, not valid at all.
Q: There is no doubt that the security situation in Kenya is worrying. How can this situation be arrested?
A: The general security is worrying. There is no doubt about it. I agree with Cord on this that we can’t blame Ole Lenku. The entire security system is wanting. The top most police officers such as Inspector General, his two deputies, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (CID) Director as well as the National Intelligence Service Director General should be held accountable for the insecurity in Kenya today. The President should institute a shake-up.
Q: Should Kenya withdraw her troops from Somalia?
A: Withdrawal would not be the answer. Our soldiers are not in Somalia of our own volition, they are under African Mission in Somalia (Amisom). Several countries are there. It is an African Union issue. Let the African Union decide what should be done.
Q: Do you think Cord is facing a leadership crisis in the House?
A: Leader of Minority Francis Nyenze is an able and reasonable man. He is the voice of reason. I, therefore, think they are doing well. It is only Cord leaders out there who don’t have confidence in Nyenze but as MPs we respect him as a voice of reason.
Q: There are reports that EACC is investigating some parliamentary committees for corruption. Is it true the vice is rampant among MPs?
A: Corruption is rampant across the country. It is not necessarily in Parliament but it is across the society. EACC has its work cut out.
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