Raila invites MRC for talks

Raila invites MRC for talks Written By:PMPS,    Posted: Mon, Aug 20, 2012

The PM was speaking in Mombasa. Prime Minister Raila Odinga has assured residents of the coast region that the government will address all the historical injustices that have marginalized sections of the region and instigated the rise of groups like the Mombasa Republican Council. Emphasizing that there was a solution to the issues raised by the MRC, the PM  said it was important for the government to hold talks with  the organization  and the coast people in general  to find a lasting solution to these issues. He said, "It is in this connection that we as government respected the recent court ruling , and call upon our brothers and sisters in the MRC to come we seat together to resolve their problems." Mr. Odinga was speaking on Monday when he addressed an IDD Baraza at the treasury square in Mombasa. On the anti-terrorism bill, Mr. Odinga  allayed the fears of the Muslim community that it will be against their interests  saying   any offending piece of legislation that is harmful to  a section of Kenyans will be repealed accordingly. "We cannot make laws that will harm our people," he emphasized. The PM also touched on the recent terrorist acts in Garissa saying the intention of the perpetrators of the heinous acts wanted to start a religious war pitting Muslims against Christians but had failed miserably. Noting that Muslims and Christians have lived peacefully in the country since time immemorial, Mr. Odinga stated that even such acts of terrorism will not shake the tranquility between members of the two religious faiths. At the same time Mr. Odinga refuted allegations that he had reneged against a memorandum of understanding they had with the Muslim community in the run up to the last general election, saying he had indeed honoured it  by ensuring that the Kadhi's court remained in the country's statutes against spirited campaigns by some people who wanted it removed from the constitution. "I have also ensured that other issues that touch on the welfare of Muslims are addressed," he added. Once again Mr. Odinga who earlier addressed professionals form Kwale county at a Mombasa hotel asked Kenyans to raise against the forces of impunity saying they could reverse all the  freedoms  gained in the country  that came with the realization of the new constitution. Noting that forces against reform and change  are real , vicious and powerful  the PM urged  Kenyans to  elect  into office   a leadership that  will  rigorously  implement   the  constitution  and  ensure that the letter and spirit  of the constitution is adhered to. Mr. Odinga  cautioned that the constitution will remain a mere paper  if not implemented  to change governance in the country which  before the promulgation of the constitution  concentrated too much power in the Presidency . He said, "We must bring accountability  in the country  by devolving power  to the grassroots to enable our people  to enjoy  their  rights as provided for in the constitution." The PM  said it was unfortunate that Kenyans are still struggling against the three enemies  they set to overcome at independence thus  ignorance, poverty and  disease saying  the country had not been able to overcome them because of poor governance. "It is this kind of poor governance and disregard of the constitution that some people would like to perpetuate  the provincial administration even though it is  not provided for in the new constitution," he said. In this connection, Mr. Odinga said  it was not prudent to appoint country commissioners  against  the advice of the Attorney General and without his (prime Minister's) concurrence saying this appointment would  frustrate  county governors who have not  been  appointed yet. He noted that it was important to put good leaders at the helm of the country's  leadership to implement  a number of development projects that will take Kenya to  the league of developed countries. He  said some of the flagship projects that  will be implemented are the construction of the second port at Lamu, dualling  the Mombasa -Nairobi road and railway line and Implementation of Lapsett by constructing  railway  and road network  to Juba in South Sudan and  to addis Ababa in Ethiopia among others.