UDFP to sponsor motion on MRC

UDFP to sponsor motion on MRC Written By:Sources,    Posted: Sat, May 19, 2012

Mudavadi is on an extensive tour of the coast region Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi said Saturday his United Democratic Forum Party (UDFP) will sponsor a motion in parliament seeking to set up a parliamentary select committee to dialogue with Mombasa Republican Council (MRC). The MRC has increasingly become vocal in agitating for cessation saying the region is not in Kenya.  The government has maintained it cannot dialogue with the MRC saying it is an illegal group. Mudavadi who is on an extensive tour of the coast region to popularize his presidential bid on the UDF ticket said the MRC issue should  be resolved urging parties involved to find a lasting solutions. "Everybody has been shying away but UDFP wants to break the impasse through parliament and Hon. Jeremiah Kioni has already drafted the motion to set up select committee to dialogue with MRC to seek lasting solution to the issues affecting them. This is being done in the spirit national reconciliation." added Mudavadi. Mudavadi's tour of the region coincides with that of Prime Minister Raila Odinga both of who are set to hold parallel rallies in Mombasa Sunday. Mudavadi says challenges faced by residents of coast region are replicated almost everywhere in the country and there is need to come up with ways to address them. "One of the sources of tension in our country is the lack of a clear and fair legislation and guidelines on resource sharing between the Counties where the resources are found and national government. We need to develop clear and equitable methods of sharing to avoid conflict and abuse. UDFP and friendly MPs will accelerate development of appropriate legislation including strengthening of minerals bill before the house" he noted. The Mudavadi party also wants to introduce changes to the Miscellaneous Amendments Bill which is currently before the house to exempt sitting councilors and MPs from the new requirements on academic qualification which Mudavadi says is discriminative. The DPM who was accompanied by Mandera Central MP Abdikadir Mohammed, Jeremiah Kioni of Ndaragwa, nominated MP George Nyamweya, Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito among others said the country has come of age and Kenyans must now elect credible leaders who will honor their campaign pledges.  He further added that the party will accelerate the development of appropriate legislation and guidelines to ensure equitable resource sharing between the Counties and national government to prevent conflict.