July 3, 2014
By Luke Awich @AchiaAwich, Mercy Mwai @wangumarci Anthony Mwangi @wairindimwangi
The build-up to Monday, July 7 (Saba Saba) yesterday took the outline of a potentially explosive clash in Nairobi, as both Cord and Jubilee politicians planned to hold rival rallies on the same venue, Uhuru Park. The National Police Service appeared keen to avert what could turn into an ugly face-off, with Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo saying only Cord had been licenced to use the venue, but some Nairobi Jubilee politicians stood their ground that they would also hold a peace rally at Uhuru Park, the venue of the Opposition rally.
Concerted efforts were afoot from various quarters, including from within Jubilee and religious groups, to dissipate rising tension and avoid a possible clash, but it was increasingly becoming evident the security machinery had a job at hand to both watch over the Cord rally and prevent a meeting between the two sides. The Jubilee team of Senator Mike Mbuvi Sonko, Starehe MP Maina Kamanda and politician Ferdinand Waititu yesterday postponed a plan to inspect the Uhuru Park venue for the proposed Jubilee rally, saying they would do so today.
Today is also the day the Cord team, led by Cord leader Raila Odinga, former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula, Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama and Siaya Senator James Orengo, are set to inspect the same venue. It was understood that there was pressure from high echelons in Jubilee for its team to call off their plan for a rally, that could clash with that of Cord, but after a meeting at Parliament Buildings the trio said they would have their day at Uhuru Park on Monday.
Kimaiyo yesterday appeared keen to impress upon the Cord leaders, Muthama and Orengo, that their rally would be offered adequate security, despite the threat to counter it. Speaking yesterday after an hour-long closed-door meeting with Kimaiyo, Orengo and Muthama confirmed having the permit to use Uhuru Park on Monday and dismissed claims by the Jubilee politicians over the right to use the park.
But Sonko claimed TNA had already booked the venue and expected their followers to turn up in large numbers to listen to their leaders. Earlier, Kimaiyo had assured Cord of security, but warned they would be held accountable for any ugly actions by their supporters. He was, however, categorical that the National Police Service had put in place necessary security measures to ensure all Opposition rallies are conducted safely.
As the showdown loomed, Catholic bishops, led by John Cardinal Njue, met President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi, where they said critical issues facing the country should be addressed within the constitutional framework and established institutions. The bishops said time was not right for political rallies, considering the heightened state of insecurity in some parts of the country.
They called on the President and all political leaders to put aside personal and party interests for the sake of peace and unity. In another development related to the Cord push for dialogue, some top Jubilee politicians in Parliament dismissed the proposed formation of a mediation team that plans to moderate talks between the Opposition and the government.
Yesterday, the leadership of the Jubilee Alliance made it clear the team, headed by Gachoka MP Mutava Musyimi, had no mandate to initiate dialogue on behalf of the coalition as it had no authority from the party’s Parliamentary Group. At a meeting bringing together Majority leader’s Adan Duale (National Assembly), Kithure Kindiki (Senate), Whips Mike Sonko (Senate) and Katoo ole Metito (National Assembly) the leaders resolved not to recognise the Musyimi-led team. The decision of the Jubilee coalition came even as the Mutava group held a meeting at County Hall where they agreed to form a 30-member select committee to spearhead talks between the Government side and the Opposition.Share with friends
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