Nairobi: National Super Alliance (Nasa) leader Raila Odinga while addressing Kenyans said that his party would launch fresh peaceful protests against the Jubilee Government. He said, “Within the first week of the New Year, we will unveil a programme for civil disobedience, peaceful protests, non-cooperation and resistance to an illegitimate regime in addition to People’s Assemblies.” The Opposition leader said that Nasa’s priority will be to fight for electoral justice to ensure that the voter’s voice is heard.
“After three stolen elections in a row and the standoff that has ensued, ending the culture of sham elections with pre-determined outcomes must be the nation’s priority. We must nip the new trend where people continue to vote, opposition is allowed to exist and win a few seats in parliament, but the vote does not really count,” said Raila. He indicated electoral justice will go hand in hand with strengthening of the Judiciary and reforming the security sector.
The former Prime Minister also hit out at the Government saying that police brutality will not be accepted and must end. “So far, the mindset is to steal the election, suppress and subdue protesters into submission by killing them, forget and move on. This has been the case in all the three stolen elections,” Raila pointed out. He also warned that the only way President Uhuru Kenyatta and his government can avoid Opposition’s fury is by agreeing to dialogue on electoral reforms.
“Nasa has two ways to realize these goals. We can sit down on the negotiating table with our Jubilee opponents and discuss how to fix our electoral system, reform the executive, protect the judiciary, reform the security sector and strengthen devolution. We are ready for such dialogue as long as these issues are on the table. Alternatively, we take the issues to the people and let them decide without the involvement of the State,” Raila declared.
President Uhuru to name new cabinet
Meanwhile, President Uhuru hinted at naming a new Cabinet in the next few weeks when he names a team to deliver his Big Four Vision. “In the next few weeks, I will unveil the men and women to whom I will entrust delivery of the Big Four, and other programmes that will transform this country. I will expect these men and women to serve Kenyans without partiality and with the very highest standard of integrity and efficiency,” Uhuru said on New Year’s Eve message.
