Vote of no confidence on Raila

The war between Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his critics is set to move to Parliament as MPs plan a motion of censure against him.

Consultations are at an advanced stage among MPs from the three leading political parties to pass a vote of confidence in the PM, Konoin MP Julius Kones claimed on Sunday.

Dr Kones said MPs dissatisfied with the premier’s leadership would present to the National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende a notice of vote of no confidence against Mr Odinga in the next 14 days.

The MPs are mainly drawn from ODM, PNU and ODM-K.

Dr Kones pointed out MPs (including himself) opposed to the premier’s alleged dictatorial leadership will have tabled the censure motion before parliament breaks off for recess to facilitate the debate early next year when Parliament resumes.

The Konoin MP maintained that Kenyans were not happy in the manner in which the premier had handled the evictions of the Mau squatters and the only remedy to “clip his wings” was the vote of no confidence to serve as a lesson to other would be “heartless leaders” in future.

“It is absurd that Mr Odinga is happy to see squatters being removed from their farms without compensation or being resettled yet it had been agreed in the Cabinet and parliament that either of the options had to be fulfilled before the evictions were carried out,” Dr Kones insisted.

The MP made the remarks during a fundraiser for the construction of classrooms at Embomos secondary school in his constituency.

Dr Kones stated that they would mandate an MP from outside Rift valley province to be the mover of the motion so that Kenyans are not made to belief that the agriculture minister William Ruto who has broken ranks with the premier was behind it.

And in a telephone interview, Cherengany MP Joseph Kutuny also said MPs unhappy with the government’s handling of the Mau Forest evictions plan to censure Mr Odinga in Parliament if the evictees are not compensated.

He said: “If our people are not going to resettled and provided with food and shelter, we might decide to ask him (Mr Odinga) in Parliament to quit.”

He added: “If he fails to ensure the plight of those evicted from Mau is properly addressed, he will have no business to continue as PM.”

Mr Kutuny said his colleagues were waiting to see if the government will fulfil its promise of providing humanitarian assistance to the people removed from Mau and resettling them elsewhere before deciding on motion.

“Unlike the impeachment of President we will only require a simple majority to remove the PM,” Mr Kutuny said.

The removal of squatters from Mau is however being handled by various line ministries and coordinated by Interim Coordinating Secretariat.

But speaking in Mombasa, Mr Marende dismissed reports in a section of the press that MPs have tabled a motion of no confidence in Mr Odinga.

“I have not received any document from MPs of no confidence in the PM and I will take required procedures once I receive it since it is their right if they feel to do so,” said Mr Marende adding that he is neutral and if he receives the document he will treat the motion in a sober mind.

MPs Kambi Kazungu and Dhado Godana said they will not support the motion of no confidence in the PM if submitted in Parliament.

“I have already received calls from certain MPs asking me if I will support but I told them they are doing so because of their personal interests,” said Mr Godana.

“I will not vote if such motion is brought in Parliament,” said Mr Kambi.