FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

Raila writes to Uhuru for dialogue on key issues

Cord leader Raila Odinga addressing a rally at Migori stadium on Friday, June 14, 2014. Photo/JACOB OWITI

Cord leader Raila Odinga addressing a rally at Migori stadium, June 14, 2014. Opposition leader Raila Odinga has written an open letter to President Uhuru Kenyatta on the need for a structured dialogue on key national issues. Photo/JACOB OWITI 

In Summary

  • Mr Odinga proposes inclusivity and national unity, devolution, corruption, the electoral process and national security as the issues for discussion.
  • He noted that the country had experienced various challenges and problems that may tear the country apart if not addressed.
  • At the end of the letter, the Cord leader assured the President that the dialogue is not meant to interfere with his tenure but to convey the messages of Kenyans as gathered during the coalition's rallies across the country.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has written an open letter to President Uhuru Kenyatta on the need for a structured dialogue on key national issues.

Mr Odinga proposes inclusivity and national unity, devolution, corruption, the electoral process and national security as the issues for discussion.

In the letter, the Cord leader acknowledges that he accepted the verdict of the Supreme Court on the election and called for national unity, adding that his coalition did not intend to interfere with the the ruling Jubilee coalition's tenure.

"Last year after the Supreme Court heard and determined my petition challenging the presidential elections, I accepted the verdict. I did that as a true believer in constitutionalism and the rule of law and declared that Kenya is greater than any one of us."

"So I offer the hand of peace and an olive branch so that we may 'dwell in unity, peace and liberty' and in happiness and prosperity."

Mr Odinga however noted that the country had experienced various challenges and problems that may tear the country apart if not addressed.

"I have chosen the path of dialogue as the lawful and sensible way of dealing with what the country faces today," he said.

"There are obvious signs that if we do not confront these problems and challenges now through a structured process of national dialogue then the road to peace will be thorny and difficult."

He added that the opposition does not want to share power with the Jubilee administration and neither does he as the opposition leader seek any office reward.

"We have a constitutional mandate as the opposition in parliament and as a coalition of political parties. However, the problems and challenges facing the country cannot all be addressed as an exercise of law making or oversight. Nor can they be resolved on the basis of the classical interplay between the three arms of government."

"All sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya and the people may exercise their sovereign power directly. The national values and principles of governance include participation of the people. We are seeking national dialogue within the context of the Constitution and not outside it."

He stated that on inclusivity and national unity, the constitution provides for competitiveness and transparent processes of appointment of state officers and the promotion of gender equality in the management of public affairs in order to reflect the country's diversity.

"These are the standards and the imperatives set by the Constitution of the Republic of Kenya. Less than a year after the last general elections, several communities are feeling excluded on the basis of ethnicity, identity or gender."

On the issue of devolution, the former Prime Minister stated that one of the objects of devolution is to ensure that there is equitable sharing of national and local resources throughout Kenya as provided for in the constitution.

"The funds allocated to the counties must be based on the audited accounts of the financial year immediately preceding the current financial year. The county governments have lost nearly 600 billion shillings in 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 because the National Treasury has used outdated accounts for the purposes of sharing of revenue between the national government and the county governments."

RAMPANT CORRUPTION

Mr Odinga said corruption in the country is rampant and has compromised the flagship projects of Vision 2030 and development projects.

"Anglo Leasing related companies is shrouded in mystery and raises questions of lack of integrity, transparency and accountability. The Standard Gauge Railway project, which is a key and vital development in the expansion and modernisation of Kenya's infrastructure, has raised serious credibility concerns."

On the issue of electoral process, Raila noted that the problems the country experienced in the 2007 and 2013 general elections are still there thus a need for a review and overhaul of the commission.

"I want Kenya to develop a political culture based on the proposition that elections should not be remembered through the repulsive images of disputes and even conflicts that arise after every election but rather by the power and might of the ballot exercised and cast in freely contested democratic election."

In the letter, Mr Odinga tackled the issue of security, saying national security organs have important functions of protecting life, freedom and property.

"The security organs need the unequivocal support and cooperation of the people particularly by denying terrorists and criminal elements sanctuary in our land. But we have been hit very hard and complacency and firefighting activities will not rid Kenya of terrorist attacks."

"People have lost confidence in our national security system and feel disappointed with the incompetent leadership at the head of our security and intelligence organs. Questions are also being raised about our military operation in Somalia not in terms of its validity or legitimacy but in terms of longevity and lack of clear operational objectives."

He noted that this year alone the country has lost many lives and it may turn out to be the worst year since the 1998 attacks on the American Embassy.

"To deal with this sequel of terror and its fatal and devastating effects the nation must sit and dialogue together and in unison combat terror and other invasions to our peace, prosperity and the rule of law."

At the end of the letter, the Cord leader assured the President that the dialogue is not meant to interfere with his tenure but to convey the messages of Kenyans as gathered during the coalition's rallies across the country.

"We have been holding very peaceful rallies as a way, under the Constitution, of engaging the people in an open and public discourse on how we can make Kenya great and prosperous; a free nation, a people liberated and an independent country in the international community of nations."

The calls for national dialogue started with the opposition and dominated Raila's homecoming rally which was held at Uhuru Park.

Since then, the opposition has been calling for a public dialogue even as the President proposed for meetings with the leaders to discuss national matters.