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| CORD Leader Raila Odinga, former VP Kalonzo Musyoka and Kitui County Governor Julius Malombe arrive for a fund raiser in aid of Kitui AIC Church in Kitui town Sunday. [PHOTO: DENNIS KAVISU/STANDARD] |
By PAUL MUTUA
KENYA: CORD leaders are warning against push to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, as they pledged to remain united.
Former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka reiterated that it would be disastrous if President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Government endorsed the move to withdraw Kenya from the Rome Statute, which established the ICC.
As VP, Kalonzo led a shuttle diplomacy to African capitals to have the Kenyans cases referred to Kenya.
Kitui County Senator David Musila said the Attorney General should advise the President properly on ICC issue. “It is a serious matter and the AG must correctly advise the President,” he said.
And former Prime Minister Raila Odinga kept up pressure on President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Government, saying the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) would not give up the quest to ascend to power.
Push for power
The leader said CORD would not collapse and will pursue the ultimate political goal to attain power.
“There is no retreat or surrender. CORD will definitely ascend to power no matter when,” said Raila who lost to President Kenyatta in the March 4 presidential vote and unsuccessfully contested the results in the Supreme Court.
Days after President Kenyatta publicly told off the ex-Premier over his criticism on issuance of title deeds at the Coast, Raila hit back, labeling Kenyatta’s Administration as out of touch with suffering Kenyans.
“We are more united and focused in salvaging Kenyans from the hands of top leadership that disregards welfare of mwananchi like prices of essential commodities,” he added.
He added: “We shall remain firm and unshakable until we reach the land of Canaan. It is unfortunate the current Government doesn’t believe in equality of citizenry. It is sad.”
Raila said ODM would continue to work closely with former VP Kalonzo’s Wiper Democratic Movement and Senator Moses Wetangula’s Ford-Kenya to unite Kenyans and free them from “oppressive” leadership.
Speaking at Kitui Township Africa Inland Church, Raila dismissed President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto’s leadership as incredible and selfish. The CORD family would fight to the end to redeem the country from tribal leadership, he added.
Raila and Kalonzo told Jubilee Coalition that they were mistaken to think they would retire before finishing the race.
They asked their supporters not to give up since the “world knows what happened in March 4 General Elections.”
Swallow bitter pill
Kalonzo claimed the two leaders were behaving like capitalists and had failed to grasp the reality on the ground.
Raila said a referendum to give county governments more funds is inevitable wapende wasipende (whether they like it or not)”
“The Jubilee administration must swallow the bitter pill and give in to mounting pressure to economically empower county governments by increasing funds,” he added.
Other leaders present included Kitui Governor Julius Malombe, County speakers George Ndotto, TIP leader Kalembe Ndile, MPs Makali Mulu, Joe Mutambu and Francis Nyenze.
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