Kalonzo, 20 MPs call for new political change

Written By:VPPS,    Posted: Thu, Mar 03, 2011

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka Thursday led at least 20 Members of Parliament in declaring a new wave of change that will usher a new political dispensation in Kenya based on leadership characterized by integrity and strong institutions of governance.

The MPs included Agriculture Minister Dr. Sally Kosgei, former Higher Education minister Mr. William Ruto, PNU Chief Whip Johnstone Muthama, Dr. Victor Munyaka (Machakos town), John Muthutho (Naivasha), Zakayo Cheruiyot (Kuresoi), Joshua Kutuny (Cherangany), Ekwe Ethuro (Turkana Central),  Peter Kiilu (Makueni), Peris Simam (Eldoret South), Bifwoli Wakoli (Bumula), Peter Mwati (Limuru), David Koech (Mosop) and Warugongo Nemesis (Kieni).

Mr. Musyoka said the push for the search of deferments of International criminal Court (ICC) cases was based on Kenya to have trust on local mechanism following the passing of a new constitution.

"How can we search for a new constitution for the last 20 years and we cannot trust the new constitution including the judiciary it has created,'' said the Vice President.

Addressing a mammoth crowd which had turned up to welcome him in Eldoret town on his way to officiate this year's North Rift Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) show, Mr. Musyoka said Kenyans can now solve their problems including the post election violence following the passing of the new constitution.

After being assured by a huge crowd on their support  on the deferments of the cases, Mr. Musyoka said local mechanisms will ensure justice for those who were affected by the post lection violence.

"Our quest for the deferments of the Kenyan cases does not mean that we are neglecting the victims of post lection violence but we have the capacity to have local legal mechanism that will ensure justice for both the suspects and victims of the post election violence,'' he said.

The Vice President reaffirmed the Parliament's commitment to implementation of the new constitution.

He said that Parliament was adjourned to allow President Kibaki to prorogue the House so as to pave way for the official opening of the next session.

Mr. Musyoka told the cheering crowd that during the last session, Parliament had made tremendous steps toward implementation of the new constitution citing the passing of two legislations that touch on the judiciary and vetting of judges.

The Vice President stressed on the importance of national unity saying it was time for healing and reconciliation.

He reiterated the need to uphold the country's sobriety and national integrity through confidence in the new constitutional dispensation and national institutions.

On politics, the Vice President urged wananchi to judge leaders by what they stand for including the interest of the general public.

He said that it is important for leaders to respect divergent views of their colleagues in the spirit of true democracy and respect individual opinion.

Mr. Musyoka directed security teams in Eldoret to ensure law and order was maintained in the town following complaints by wananchi that acts of lawlessness had become the order of the day in the area.

ODM rift

On his part, former Higher Education Minister Mr. William Ruto took a swipe at Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leadership regretting that the party people in Rift Valley participated in its formation had turned against democratic principles that allow freedom of conscience, speech and association and instead had been turned into a religious cult that dictates on her subjects to worship an individual.

Mr. Ruto said ODM MPs who believe in true democratic pursuits are ready to accept any consequences including reverting to wananchi at the grassroots' so as to gauge popularity of the party.

"It is unacceptable that the party we were part of has turned against our interests and expectation. We want freedom of conscience, expression and association and not a party that has turned into a promoter of religious cults that worship an individual,'' said Mr. Ruto.

He challenged the party to expel members and be ready to also observe the rule of law to the latter.

Mr. Ruto who is also the Eldoret North MP decried the rising insecurity in Eldoret town and appealed to the Government to investigate claims that security agents in the area are colluding with some criminal elements to terrorizing wananchi.