ODM Insists Kenya Needs to Formulate Roadmap for Withdrawal From Somalia

A day after President Uhuru Kenyatta delivered his State of the Nation address, we in the Orange Democratic Movement asked the government to, among other things, present the country with a road map for the withdrawal of our troops from Somalia.

Today, in the aftermath of the second terror attack since the government launched what we advised was an ill conceived and poorly executed plan to rid the country of militants, we are forced to demand once again that the government presents us with a roadmap for withdrawal of our troops from Somalia.

We are forced to ask again; When are our troops getting out of Somalia What is the game plan for our exit?  Where is the roadmap for a secure Kenya and a stable Somalia?

It is our position as a party that as a country, Kenya has done its bit in Somalia and we have suffered enough for it. We are asking; why are we unable to rally development partners to stabilize Somalia with development support? That was always part of the plan as our troops moved into Somalia.

Today, we seem to be staying in Somalia without realizing the full costs and we are now paying for it. Families have lost bread winners and loved ones and KDF is not coming to their aid. In the middle of all this, the jubilee regime is tight lipped as the crisis gets from bad to worse.

What is it that the top brass in the military and government are getting out of Operation Linda Nchi? How can we justifiably talk of Linda Nchi when we are under attack day in day out because of our very presence in Somalia?

As a party, we believe Somalia has always been at peace with Kenya. We therefore demand that Kenyans be told why what was a friendly intervention led us into conflict.

While we recognize the courage and professionalism of our military that have made Somalia a much better place today, we also know that Somalia still has persistent insurgency to deal with and it continues to be a magnet for international terrorists.

But we feel it is time for the Government to present to us a clear plan for ending our presence in Somalia. We want a clear plan for transferring responsibility for Somalia's security to the Somalis. We are asking for the plan for expediting the training of the Somali forces to take charge of their country and for accelerating Somalia’s economic development, particularly through infrastructure that gives Somalis a stake in achieving a better future. 

That was always the plan when our sons and daughters moved into this territory where even the devil feared to tread.

We are concerned at the casual treatment that these attacks have been receiving from the government. We recall that when terrorists hit Likoni on March 23rd, the president proceeded with his trip to Tanzania the next day, March 24th.

When Eastleigh was attacked on March 31st, the president proceeded with his trip to Belgium and April the next day, April 1.

The latest attack in Mombasa comes only a day before the Presidents trip to Abuja, which we believe will proceed as if nothing has happened.

The people of Kenya are increasingly feeling that they are on their own on security at a time other indicators like cost of living are equally bleak. We, as a party, demand convincing action and answers.

Hon. Prof P. Anyang Nyongo

Ag. Party Leader,

ODM.

ODM Condemns Plans to Remit Anglo-Leasing Payments

ODM SEES LINK BETWEEN RETURN OF ANGLO LEASING COMPANIES, POACHING AND FRESH ATTEMPTS AT GRABBING OF KARURA FOREST:

The National Assembly will betray the people of Kenya if it colludes with the cartels of corruption in and outside the government to pay the fictitious outfit called Anglo Leasing Kshs 125 billion for no services rendered nor goods delivered to the nation.

Both the NARC and the Grand Coalition Governments refused to pay these fictitious debts. Why now?

The Attorney General Prof. Githu Muigai should realize that a transaction which is wrong, defective and fraudulent ab initio cannot be sanitized by exploiting the fine prints of legal procedure.

As a party, we appeal to members of the National Assembly to stand on the right side of history and refuse to be used to sanitize dirty deals and prepare them for illegal and fraudulent payment.

We also appeal to the people of Kenya to look back, ask themselves why certain things happen only under certain regimes, and collectively reject attempts to pay billions to firms that do not exist and for services never rendered. We must stand up against attempts to plunder and loot our country in our name, for the benefit of individuals.

Anglo-Leasing is back after ten years in which it was rejected by Narc and the Grand Coalition governments.

The last time poaching was witnessed on a grand scale in Kenya was in the mid-1970s. Poaching of our wildlife heritage is back in a big way, under Jubilee.

There is a fresh attempt to grab Karura Forest after Kenyans, led by the late Prof. Wangari Maathai, successfully fought off such attempts in the 1980s and 1990s.

Kenyans will hold the AG personally responsible if this grand corruption of paying for Anglo Leasing is fully consummated to the detriment of current and future generations. 

In any case the individuals who fraudulently committed the government to these fake transactions should be held personally responsible for any money that these Lords of corruption are laying claim to in the international arena.

We appeal to the people of Kenya to get ready to stand up against attempts to take the country to the past. We did not get where we are by accident or State benevolence. We fought to get where we are, we must fight to get where we set out to be.

Prof. P. Anyang' Nyong'o
Ag. Party Leader
ODM
Nairobi 26 April, 2014

ODM Statement on State of and Response to Insecurity

PRESS STATMENT

STATE OF AND RESPONSE TO INSECURITY

That we are in the middle of insecurity nightmare is no longer in doubt and not really new. Security has systematically degenerated in the last one year, from sporadic explosions in border towns of northern Kenya, to banditry, cattle rustling and gangs across different parts of the country,which have passed without much action from the government.

Kenyans will remember the wave of attacks that gripped parts of Western Kenya around this time last year, beginning in Bungoma, spreading to Busia, Mt Elgon and parts of Kakamega with no explanations to date.

The murders in Nyanza that claimed the parents of a Member of Parliament remain unexplained. The mayhem has spread to Nairobi, where previously safe neighborhoods like Karen have lately witnessed unprecedented crime wave. Those in lesser affluent estates long accepted it as their fate to be insecure. Shoot outs in the streets of Nairobi have become normal again.

Nairobi, Mombasa, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit have lived with explosives and grenades going off everywhere for much of the past year without convincing explanations and without anyone being held to account.

The climax for all these was the attack on Westgate that left upto 70 people dead, hundreds injured and losses running into billions. No explanation has been offered to date. But we all remember that President Uhuru Kenyatta promised in broad daylight and in public that he would institute an inquiry into the attack. There was even an explosion at the airport which the authorities said, and want us to believe, was a falling light bulb. That is how ridiculous it has been in the last one year.

 The government has a duty, responsibility and right to protect the lives and property of citizens. In fact this is the only reason people agree to form governments. We however do not believe that reactive swoops and return to slumber thereafter as we have witnessed in the last one year, including what is going on today, presents some kind of well thought out and well designed response to the security challenges we face. There is an element of insecurity we are focusing on today called Al Shabaab which we believe ought to be handled better, though it ought not be treated as the only threat.

In recent days, hundreds of mostly young people have been arrested and detained in Nairobi, Mombasa and other parts of the country. Hundreds have been deported to Somalia for being illegally in Kenya. Tens have been shot dead across the country in the name of fighting terrorism and crime. Police continue to harass young jobless men in the name of maintaining law and order, in most cases demanding for cash to release the innocent young Kenyans.

Given the situation above, as a party, we are making the following demands:

1: The mere presence of hundreds of illegal immigrants within our borders, who entered without our notice, is in itself a manifestation of serious lapses in our security, intelligence and immigration system. We need a thorough audit of our security, intelligence and immigration agencies. Heads need and must to roll in the intelligence, police and immigration departments as part of a major effort to secure our country. It will not work that the very people who allowed the immigrants in, most times after collecting bribes from them, are then made to conduct swoops and deport the same after a crime has been committed. We need to get to the bottom of the corruption cartels in immigration, intelligence and police who are making our country insecure by allowing people illegally into our country in return for money.

2: We must get to the bottom of the biggest security lapse in our country in twenty years and that is the attack on Westgate Mall. All Kenyans remember that President Uhuru Kenyatta promised an inquiry. We welcomed this because understanding how Westgate happened is critical to unraveling how terror groups operate and the loopholes in our security, intelligence and social systems that they exploit and which need to be sealed. Close to a year later, there is no inquiry and there are no signs there shall ever be one. The expectation seems to be that Kenyans will just accept and move on.  We are asking, what does President Uhuru know about Westgate? Why does the president fear investigating this incident? We are demanding that investigations, preferably by a select committee of both Houses of Parliament be carried out without further delay.

 3: Talking about terrorism, we ask the government to take time and understand Al Shabaab in its many dimensions to be able to fight it effectively. Al Shabaabism has become a movement with at least three dimensions all of which cannot be dealt with by swoops, friskings and deportations as it is happening today.  There are Jihadist Al Shabaab that believe in converting everyone to Islam as the only way to save the world and to defeat the West.  There is the economic Al Shabaab, those who join this movement because of temporary hope it offers through handouts and forms of employment particularly to the desperate youth. There is the pure criminal and opportunistic Al Shabaab. These are people joining this movement to extort money and create opportunities for themselves by exploiting the failures of the state. These people are not necessarily religious, young or poor. They simply want to make hay while the sun shines. We need to address the political economy of Al Shabaabism. We have heard the president asking Kenyans to join him and help fight terrorism. The nation cannot help the president fight terrorism unless he joins us in analyzing and seeks our understanding Al Shabaabism. We will be firing in the dark if we think the war can be won through shoot to kill orders and chaotic round ups we are witnessing today.

4: The National Government must rethink its desire to monopolize security. This country is crying for an approach to security that does not have to rely on the gun or the police. The constitution has very clear provisions that would secure Kenya all the way to the villages if implemented honestly. If Village Councils were allowed to operate as envisaged, nobody would enter our country without being noticed. We would not need another layer called Nyumba Kumi either. Village councils were supposed to close the gap between the masses and the government. They must be put in place immediately and given the tools to operate effectively.

5: Police reform must proceed with a clear understanding of the needs of society. Promotions and deployments need to based on merit. There should be clear standards on who can enter the force with what level of education and what academic qualification assures one of what rank. The civilian wing of the force needs to be strengthened, not undermined.

 6: The issue of illegal immigrants in Kenya needs to be addressed urgently and independently of the insecurity we are witnessing. It has nothing to do with refugees. Kenya has had refugees for a very long time. We had long perfected a system of documenting refugees. It is therefore wrong to lump refugees with illegal immigrants. A purposeful implementation of devolution is critical in this regard. Village councils will know who the citizens are if they are allowed to operate and if they are sensitized to their security role.

 7: We reject attempts to reinvent the old colonial structures including the provincial administration using insecurity as an excuse. We went for devolution because the old structure failed. We appeal to the government to strengthen devolved units and cede some security roles so that we have a system, accountable to the people, and that runs all the way to the ground.

 8: We wish to express strong displeasure at the swoops going on today, which resemble Operation Anvil of the Mau Mau era or the Wagalla operation of the 1980s. Operation Anvil can easily lead to ethnic profiling. We do not think indiscriminate picking of Somalis is the answer. Al Shabaab is no longer a Somali issue. We wish to remind the government that in countries where the war on crime and terror has taken ethnic, racial or religious dimension, the conflicts has ended up being more complex and more protracted. We fear Kenya is taking that unfortunate route. We want to believe that in a country that upholds the rule of law and basic freedoms, if you’ve done nothing wrong, you deserve nothing but respect and courtesy from the authorities. We haven't seen that in the crackdown that looks modeled along operation Anvil of the Mau Mau era. Inspector Genera of Police, NIS director and CID director owe our country a better job or they should pack and leave.

 9: Given the Somalia aspect to our security problems, we are asking the government give us the time table of withdrawing from Somalia. We are not saying we should declare victory and leave. We are not saying we sneak out. We want to see a plan for a systematic handing over of Somalia to its citizens. We reject this chest thumping by the government about how we are in Somalia to stay. Kenya and AMISON must have a partnership for reconstruction of Somali state.

10: We want the government to share with Kenyans its plans for engaging the youth in meaningful activities for earning a living so that they do not have to turn to criminal networks like Al Shabaab to earn a living. Throwing money at the problem, like the creation of Uwezo Fund on top of the existing youth fund is not making any difference.

Thank you and God Bless Kenya.

Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o

Ag. Party Leader

10^th April 2014.

Prof Nyongo Sharply Criticizes President Uhuru's Three Week Absence

I am surprised that the President can choose to leave the country for 3 weeks at a time when Kenya is facing the most grievous security threats almost everywhere. Given the limited powers that the Deputy President can exercise constitutionally, I find the absence of the President reckless, adventurous and most uncalled for.

At a time like this, we need a National United Front of all parties, beliefs and persuasions, well structured at the National level, to deal with the insecurity crisis. The President has chosen to absent himself from the nation at a time when a hands on approach is most needed.

Rather than talk about the impending shake up of the security system, Kenyans want to see the result of action and not the intention of promises.

I must say however that the President seems to be immobilized by the feeling of entitlement that the security bosses have to their positions hence no doubt for their political debt the President owes them.

Prof. Anyang Nyong'o.
Ag. Party Leader.
ODM
1/4/2014

ODM's Position on the Wage Bill

 The populist move by the President and the Deputy President to cut their salaries by 20 per cent and that of Cabinet and Principal Secretaries by 10 per cent is not convincing.
 
These cuts will not in the least affect the standards of living of these people. The president pays no bills, buys no air time or fuel nor does he have to pay rent or bus fare. The same is true with the Deputy President.
 
The allowances and other perks the Cabinet Secretaries get will more than compensate for the salary cuts they have taken. Ordinary civil servants are not therefore in the same league.
 
What Kenya needs is a national incomes policy and not a populist cut of salaries. The government needs to lead a national discussion of TAXATION in relation to WAGES at all levels. In the meantime, we recommend the government takes the following steps:
Accept Devolution and stop duplication.

The entire structure of Provincial Administration that was to be phased out with the coming of the constitution of 2010 has been renamed and retained in the form of regional commissioners, county commissioners, district commissioners and a chain of administrators running past the chefs.

This system is running parallel to the constitutionally sanctioned system of county governments headed by the governor. The source of the money remains constant; the Kenyan tax payer. The Jubilee government could save Kenyans the pain of higher taxes, higher cost of living and anxiety over job cuts by simply accepting the reality of devolution and fitting the provincial administration into devolved units instead of running a parallel system then asking where all the money is going.
Cut down on corruption:

It is clear that the big time corruption cartels whose hold onto Kenya we cut short in 2002 are back, trying to make up for lost time. Corruption is eating into government coffers, paying ghost workers and paying for services not rendered or way above market rates. It is ironical that the battle on wages is now rated much more urgent by the Jubilee government than the war against corruption. The Jubilee government has now resolved to pay the so-called Anglo-Leasing debts, an outright conduit for corrupt deals.
Cut luxury expenditure:

Jubilee should enforce Treasury's ban on five-star venues for government meetings, which it defied only last week. The government should ban foreign locations for conferences, exhibitions and keep the size of delegations and entourage locally and abroad at an absolute minimum. But this is easier said than done.
Put Kenyans back to work:

There is need for a clear road map on what needs to be done to put millions of Kenyans to work and encourage companies to hire and not fire people. The government needs to come up with a plan to reward firms that hire more Kenyans and those that increase workers’ pay.
Support Small enterprises:

Jubilee must use its numerical strength in the National Assembly to come up with administrative, regulatory and legislative measures to help small firms start and expand. The cost of bank loans remains unbelievably high after so much rhetoric about it. The subject of interest rates is touchy because a number of senior government officials also have interests in the banking industry.
 
But if we are to create job creators and not job seekers, the cost of loans have to fall. The government must embrace and engage small contractors and change the way it does business with small firms. Startups cannot wait for months and years chasing their payment vouchers. A simpler engagement would help turn Kenyans into job creators, not job seekers. Small businesses are the engine of that job growth, and essential to the continued economic recovery.
Embrace, don’t fight security sector reforms:

This may seem to have nothing to do with wage bill, but the reason the economy is stagnating is uncertainty about security. Reforming our security sector radically and equipping it with skills, knowledge and tools fit for new challenges will go a long way in giving confidence to investors and helping the economy grow.
PROF. PETER ANYANG’ NYONG’O
AG. PARTY LEADER
ODM
March 10, 2014.

Statement of the Resolutions of ODM-NEC on Party National Elections

The National Executive Committee (NEC) members meeting today (Tuesday 7th Jan 2014) at Orange House under the chairmanship of the party leader the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga made the following resolution;

The National Delegates Convention (NDC) which is the party's top decision making organ shall be held on the 28th of February and the 1st of March 2014.

During the two day event, delegates will be deliberate on various matters of importance to the party and thereafter take part in the most important exercise which is to elect the party's new National Office bearers.

The positions to be contested at the NDC as per the party's new constitution are as follows;
 

1. The Party Leader
2. The Deputy Party Leader
3. The National Chairperson
4. The Deputy Chairperson
5. The Secretary General
6. The Deputy Secretary General
7. The National Treasurer
8. The Deputy National Treasurer - Finance
9. The National Organizing Secretary
10. The Deputy Organizing Secretary
11. Secretary for Public Policy and Economic Affairs
12. Secretary for Legal and Constitutional Affairs
13. Secretary for Publicity and Information
14. Secretary for International Affairs
15. Secretary for Women Affairs (OWDL)
16. Secretary for Youth Affairs (OYDL)
17. Secretary for Special Interest Groups
18. Secretary for Environment
19. Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs
20. Secretary for Devolved Government
21. Secretary for Science and Technology
22. Secretary for Labour and Human Resource Development
23. Secretary for Special Programmes, Security and Social Welfare
24. Secretary for Humanitarian and Disaster Management Affairs
25. Secretary for Disability Affairs
26. Secretary for Political Affairs

The convention shall be held at the Kasarani Sports Gymnasium in Nairobi.
 
Party members wishing to contest the aforementioned positions should apply to the National Elections Board upon notice indicating the positions they intend to run for in the elections. We urge all those aspiring candidates for these party positions to desist from divisive politics and to campaign among party members in accordance with the party election rules and regulations. Engagement in untoward behavior such as bribery, ethnic incitement, hate speech and thuggery will lead to automatic disqualification.

On regional affairs, the ODM NEC calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities in South Sudan and the realization of a political settlement to ensure peace, democracy and national development. We are particularly concerned with the suffering of the people of South Sudan, especially women and children. People cannot access food and medicine as a result of the controlled use of airspace in some parts of the country.

ODM calls for complete neutrality of neighboring countries, and appeals to the mediators in the conflict to facilitate the release of all the detainees so that they can participate in the process of resolving the conflict and creating a democratic political order. We urge the government South Sudan to allow freedom of the press and access to information during this period of conflict.

We urge the government of Kenya to be on the lead in the road to the stabilization of South Sudan owing to the socio-economic ties the two nations enjoy.

The NEC wishes our party leader the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga a Happy Birthday today.

Thank you and God Bless you all.

Prof. Anyang' Nyong'o
Secretary General. 
Orange House, Tuesday 7th Jan 2014

CORD Statement on the International Criminal Court

The International Criminal Court is based on the principle of complimentarity which makes the court’s jurisdiction subordinate to national courts except in very limited and well established circumstances and situations.

The Court’s objective is partly to put an end to impunity so that the perpetrators of serious crimes within the jurisdiction of the court, including crimes against humanity, are punished.

The Constitution of Kenya aspires to put Kenya in the frontline of states that respect, defend and protect human rights with a view of developing a culture of human rights Articles 2 (5) and (6) and 59 of the Constitution together with the Bill of Rights underpin the centrality of Human Rights and International Law in Kenya's Legal System.

Kenya’s membership to the Assembly of State Parties of the International Criminal Court is a demonstration of the people’s sovereign will, in action, to be part and parcel of the family of nations which since the creation of the United Nations have reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person. Lip service to the values and principles of the United Nations as contained in the Charter and the various declarations and covenants of the global body continues to be the bane of peace, security and well being of the world. The relationship between the International Criminal Court and the United Nations underscores its instrumentality in meeting the objectives of the international community in attaining peace and security.

For Kenya to remain faithful to the Constitution as enacted and proclaimed on 27th August 2010 we must not contemplate withdrawing from the Rome Statute. Kenya cannot exist outside the realm of international law in all situations. That thinking has not helped former and current leaders of Libya, Cote d’Ivoire and Sudan to run away from or be shielded from international justice.

Even before the enactment of the Constitution, Kenya had enacted the International Crimes Act of 2008. However it did not come into operation immediately. The Act domesticated the Rome Statute and established clear mechanisms for cooperation between Kenya and the International Criminal Court. The Rome Statute is now part of Kenya’s municipal law.

Withdrawal from the International Criminal Court will be inconsistent with and defeat the purposes and objectives of the Constitution of Kenya and will not bring honor to the nation and dignity to our leaders. The reputation of being the first country to pull out of the International Criminal Court is not a good one for Kenya. Merely a forthright ago the United Nations General Assembly reaffirmed its full support for the International Criminal Court and Kenya should not take lightly the resolutions and Commitment of the World body.

TheJubilee Coalitions motion to intimate Kenya's withdrawal from the Rome Statue is capricious and ill considered. It cannot objectively and concretely as it regards the current Kenyan cases at The Hague. Neither will the international Criminal Court suddenly disappear from the International Criminal Justice System or the world order.

We in CORD have never wanted to have our citizens tried outside our courts in a foreign land for crimes committed in our territory. We fought very hard for the creation of a court within our judicial and criminal justice system with the competence of dealing with international crimes. Collective amnesia has however been generated through falsehoods and propaganda to hoodwink the nation that the current cases in the Hague were triggered and propelled by way of a political stratagem and purpose calculated to advance the partisan course of a specific group. If that were so such abuse of a judicial process and oppressive conduct could never be entertained by any court including the International Criminal Court and that alone would be enough to vitiate any proceedings.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga with President Mwai Kibaki tried in vain to have a local judicial mechanism established by legislation but members of the 10th Parliament, most of them in the Jubilee camp frustrated the efforts. A delegation of senior ministers in the Grand Coalition Government was sent to Geneva and the Hague to seek more time to engage members of parliament and stakeholders with a view of avoiding the proceedings before the International Criminal Court. The Court and H.E. Kofi Annan granted the request but again the refrain ‘DON’T BE VAGUE SAY HAGUE’ had taken root. Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka undertook an extensive shuttle diplomacy to stop or suspend the trial of Kenyans at the International Criminal Court again without success. Raila Odinga engaged both the United States and the United Kingdom governments on a similar mission but the efforts did not bear any fruit and the United Kingdom gave its reasons in declining the request in writing. Hon Moses Wetangula was also engaged in the initiatives as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and a member of the cabinet committee that was dealing with International Criminal Court matters at the time. The record of the CORD leadership has therefore been very clear, consistent and unequivocal both on the question of the creation of a competent national tribunal and the referral of the current cases in the Hague back to Kenya.

Finally CORD wishes the President, the Deputy President and Mr. Joshua Arap Sang well and truly believe that they will be absolved through the judicial process of the International Criminal Court and that the cause of justice will be met. During the general elections CORD accepted the candidature of the President and the Deputy President without any hesitation in the spirit of democracy and justice. The narrative of our politics must qualitatively change in order to create an enabling environment for reform and progress. Kenya is not on trial and the people of Kenya are not at the stakes. CORD believes that international justice will render good judgment to our sons and the nation will emerge stronger and more united.

NAIROBI THURSDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER 2013

Rt Hon Raila Odinga's Statement on Road Safetyand the State of Security in the Nation

THE RT HON RAILA ODINGA'S STATEMENT ON ROAD SAFETY AND THE STATE OF SECURITY IN THE NATION 

 I find the killing of innocent people has gone on for much of this year in Moyale and other parts of Northern Kenya disturbing and unacceptable. 

Too many meetings have been held with the national leadership and top brass of our security organs. Too many warnings have been issued by the National Government. Too many visits have been made to the affected areas. There has been too much talk of contingents of security formations being dispatched to Northern Kenya. 

Yet, in the end, nothing changes. 

From Garissa to Wajir to Marsabit and Mandera, insecurity, characterized by killing of innocent villagers, is becoming the norm. Today, Moyale has become the centre of these crimes. The number of victims is rising daily, while the National Government procrastinates, issues threats, makes promises and looks somebody to blame. 

This pattern must end once and for all. 

The National Government must restore sanity in Northern Kenya immediately to allow the people to settle down to the business of managing their lives and their future. 

The National Government must also, immediately, come up with concrete steps to end the carnage on our roads. 

The tears have barely dried and the grief has not ended among the families that lost members in the recent accident in Kisii involving school children and teachers. Then yesterday, we lost tens of lives on the road again. 

The reaction is the same; warnings and threats of stern action after the damage is done. I ask the government to extend a helping hand to all the families caught in the latest road tragedy. They need help with the bills and related expenses. 

This help must be coupled with concrete actions to restore sanity on the roads and in the wider security infrastructure of Kenya. 

 RAILA A. ODINGA.
30 August 2013

ODM Reassures Supporters on Loyalty of Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero

ODM STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR EVANS KIDERO via @ODM_News @KideroEvans

Our attention has been drawn to information circulating in sections of the media claiming that Nairobi City County Governor Dr. Evans Kidero is associating with politicians outside the ODM and CORD fraternity.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) would like to clarify that Dr. Kidero is a life member of the party and he has not indicated quitting the party and CORD. Dr. Kidero remains committed to the ideals of the party and CORD especially Devolution which is at the heart of every Kenyan.

As a matter of fact, Dr. Kidero has been attending meetings and retreats organized by the Coalition, the latest being the CORD Governors and Senators retreat held at the Serena Beach Hotel in Mombasa last month. As the Governor of Nairobi which is the seat of power, Dr. Kidero is free to work closely with the Executive.

On the CORD Governors tour of the US organized by CORD Leader Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, Dr. Kidero will be among the Governors travelling in the next trip.
Therefore, the party assures all its members and supporters of the CORD fraternity that Dr. Kidero is still in CORD and and remains a member of the ODM.

Prof. P . Anyang Nyong'o.
Secretary General
Orange Democratic Movement
28/07/2013

Prime Minister's Statement on Directive to Elected Ministers to Resign

REPUBLIC OF KENYA
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER


PRESS STATEMENT:
DIRECTIVE TO MINISTERS RESIGN:

The status and tenure of the President, the Prime Minister, the Vice President, Cabinet Ministers and Assistant Ministers are governed by Section 12 of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of Kenya and the National Accord Reconciliation Act.

There are no provisions requiring Ministers to resign in the manner stated by the Head of Public Service through the Government Spokesman.

There are self-executing provisions of the Constitution that prohibit members of the Executive as a whole from taking seats in the legislature and as set out in Section 99 (2) of the Constitution.

The Attorney-General was therefore correct in his interpretation of this matter and the clear position is as follows:-

1. The persons occupying the position of President, the Prime Minister, the Vice President, Cabinet Ministers and Assistant Ministers remain in office until the assumption of office by a duly elected President; and Cabinet Secretaries have been appointed. Since the tenure of the President and the current Government has exceeded the term of five years, the President and the Cabinet, which includes the Prime Minister and the Vice President, are in office as a caretaker Government and are only exercising executive power during a temporary incumbency.

2. It should be noted that the incumbent President, as a caretaker, amongst other things cannot nominate or appoint or dismiss Ministers and the State or Public Officers.


3. The Statement of the Head of Public Service can only be relevant in respect of Cabinet Secretaries appointed after the conclusion of the General Elections.

The purported directive on this matter from the Head of Public Service has therefore no constitutional or legal foundation. It is misleading and inaccurate and should be disregarded.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Grand Coalition Government is still intact and in place led by the President and the Prime Minister. The Coalition Government at the level of President, Prime Minister, Vice President and Ministers will stand dissolved when the duly elected President following the first General Elections under the New Constitution, takes the oath of office.


Rt. Hon. Raila A. Odinga, EGH, MP
PRIME MINISTER

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Update 1: ODM National Elections Board Invalidates Nomination Certificates for Nyanza and Western Regions

The Orange Democratic Movement, ODM would like to clarify that the party through the National Elections Board has not cancelled nominations in Nyanza. What the commission has done is to cancel all fake certificates issued by Commissioner Ogundo who has since been suspended alongside others. Aspirants are urged to ensure that only hand signed certain are the right ones. Any certificate bearing a scanned signature in FAKE!

INVALIDATION OF NOMINATION CERTIFICATES.

In view of irregularities in issuance and distribution of nomination certificates for our candidates, particularly the county representatives from Nyanza region, I have disallowed Mr. James Ogundo from further handling of nomination certificates from that region on behalf of the National Elections Board.

I have also removed from office some members of staff suspected to have been involved in the irregularities. This will also affect Western Province. I have invalidated therefore, those certificates previously issued and will personally issue fresh ones to replace those.

I want to underscore that all certificates from ODM are free of charge and have authentic and original signatures.

The Board assures the aspirants and the general public of its commitment to ensuring that the right things are done for the right people and that ODM would not condone practices that can be seen as theft or otherwise.

Hon. Franklin Bett, EGH.
NEB Chairman.
23/01/2013.

PM Raila Odinga Statement on the Concluded ODM Nominations

"We have come to the end of very complex and fiercely competitive election primaries.

On behalf of the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy, I wish to congratulate all those who sought our ticket, those who won and those who were not successful.

The huge interest in the party’s ticket was clearly a manifestation of the strong desire for change and the belief that CORD is the force for change in the country.

I look forward to working very closely with all the winners to ensure we secure a decisive victory on March 4th.

We also have a role for all those who have not been able to secure victory in the primaries.

My word to all of them is that we need everybody on board. Let all of us join hands now, the winners and those they beat, to campaign for our victory on March 4th.

My congratulations go also to those who secured tickets on other parties; Jubilee, Amani, Narc-Kenya, and all the others. They all have contributed to the democratization of our country and they will have a role in shaping our nation going forward.

To all the people of Kenya, I urge calm and reconciliation now that the primaries are over.

I wish to see an end to all hostilities that may have arisen out of the strong demand for the various tickets.

Elections and nominations must never divide us or make us go to war. They should strengthen our march towards democracy and national unity.

I appeal to our worthy competitors to embrace peace as we enter the final stretch of this campaign.

Let us focus on issues, not personalities. Let us focus on what is good for our country, not what would work for tribes and regions.

Let us mobilise votes on a national and not a tribal agenda.

Let us secure votes through policies and not bribery or intimidation. I appeal to our citizens to reject leaders who want to buy leadership using money and other aspects of bribery.

Kenya’s future must not be compromised with money.

I want to make a special appeal to our citizens to create an enabling environment for our female candidates in this campaign.

Nobody should use violence, blackmail, intimidation or any other crude means against female candidates.

A number of young men and women have also won tickets to run for various positions.

We must equally accord them support and create and sound environment for them to compete fairly and freely.

Finally, I ask all Kenyans to maintain the peace during this campaign and after. Let all of us come out and vote in the historic exercise on March 4th.

Thank you all."

ODM NEB Statement on Kisumu County Nominations

The National Elections Board (NEB) of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) wishes to dispel claims that it has declared Ms. Ruth Odinga as the nominee for the Kisumu Governor’s seat in the March 4, General Election.

The Board categorically states that it has not issued any information regarding the Kisumu gubernatorial contest and urges the residents of Kisumu to remain calm and maintain peace.

The NEB says that reports in the mainstream media and information that is trending on the social media should be treated as rumours and therefore urges the public to ignore them.

The Board Chairman and his entire team will issue a comprehensive statement later in the day which will also include news on the Kisumu County nominations exercise.

Hon. Franklin Bett, EGH.

Chairman – NEB.

20/01/2013

ODM NEB Appeals Board Resolving Nomination Grievances

The National Appeals Board constituted by the ODM National Elections Board is making tremendous progress in the task given to them.

The five member team is presently listening to grievances that were brought before them by a team from Siaya County over the disputed results of the Governor's position and the Gem Parliamentary seat.

The team has requested the board to give it more time since they are dealing with a weighty matter. Therefore, the team has been allowed to work until late in the night.
 
Official communication will be made by the Board chairman once received from the Appeals team.
 
Meanwhile more appeals can be filed at Orange House tomorrow.
 
Hon. Franklin Bett
NEB Chairman

ODM NEB Statement on Compliance With Nomination Law

The National Elections Board of the ODM wishes to inform party members, aspirants, supporters and the general public that it has fully complied with the law in regard to nomination of candidates for the various elective posts.

The Board further states that the ODM completed the nomination exercise yesterday as provided for by law.

Therefore the NEB wishes to state categorically that any purported nomination exercises being held today in some areas were not sanctioned nor managed by the Board.
Hon. Franklin Bett
CHAIRMAN

Statement on Party Nominations by ODM NEB Chairman

The National Elections Board of the ODM wishes to announce to all the aspirants, members, supporters and the general public that the National Appeals Board of the NEB is currently in session to deal with all the appeals and disputes by aspirants.
 
The Board therefore urges all the aspirants who have registered their grievances to be patient and wait for the verdict of the Appeals Board.
 
The Board also wishes to inform the public that the Appeals Board is still meeting to deliberate on the issue of Siaya County Gubernatorial contest and and that of Gem Parliamentary seat and so far no report has been given out to that regard.
 
Therefore, reports doing rounds that the NEB has cleared particular individuals for the two disputes should be treated as rumours until the Board makes a formal announcement.

Thank you.
 
Hon. Franklin Bett, EGH
NEB Chairman.
19/01/2013.

Statement by the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, Prime Minister, on Hon. Fred Gumo's Retirement from Politics

Fred Gumo could have easily sailed through to win any seat in Nairobi he wanted. Instead, in another expression of his far-sighted commitment to ODM and Kenya, he has chosen to devote his wisdom and energy to ensuring that our coalition wins this election and forms a government that will change people’s lives.

I want to pay great tribute to Hon. Fred Gumo for this selfless decision, and for the dedicated service he has rendered to our country during his long political career. He is leaving politics at the very peak of his career, having accomplished all he wanted to. This is the kind of legacy all Kenyans should seek to leave behind them.

Hon. Gumo was a master politician who was always in touch with the grassroots. That is how he managed to build his career in Nairobi, where he served all Kenyans irrespective of their ethnic background. That is how Fred Gumo will always be remembered.
 
Kaa Ngumu Fred!
 
I also want to pay tribute to Franklin Bett, the Minister for Roads, who has taken a break from elective politics to dedicate his energies at the national level to ensure that ODM wins the elections. A sincere and consistent man of great principle who always put the nation first, Bett left the Moi administration and joined the Narc struggle to put in place an accountable and dynamic government which would improve people’s lives. After Narc’s break-up, he knew ODM was where leaders who pushed the nation first belonged.
 
ODM and I will miss the active day to day engagement of both these ministers. But we have in the two the core of a new group of wise and independent elders who will guide the CORD government to deliver much better lives for Kenyans in every part of the Republic.

Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga
Prime Minister
16 January 2013

CORD Statement on Nominations for the 2013 General Elections

Franklin Bett (left) Cord co-chairmen Dalmas Otieno (centre) and David Musila (right) confer during a news conference January 5, 2013 at Serena Hotel, Nairobi. Cord parties will hold joint nominations.

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD), having exhaustively consulted widely among its member parties and its various coalition management organs, wishes to inform our supporters and those who have expressed interest in offering themselves for nomination for the positions of Governor, Senator, Woman Member of the National Assembly, Ordinary Member  of the National Assembly and Member of the County Assembly in their respective member parties as follows:
 

1. That nominations to all the named positions will be held on Thursday, 17th January 2013.
2. That the nominations shall be conducted jointly by FORD Kenya, ODM, Wiper Democratic Movement -­‐ Kenya and all other partner parties that have signed the Coalition Agreement. 
3. That the nominations shall be conducted by universal suffrage through secret ballot.
4. That for avoidance of doubt, the names of all candidates for each position shall appear in one common ballot paper clearly indicating the name and symbol of sponsoring partner party. 
5. That polling stations for the purposes of these nominations, which shall open at 8.00 hrs and close at 17.00 hrs, shall be published by the CORD Elections Board not later than seven (7) days before the nominations. 
6. That to qualify to participate in nominations, electors names must appear in the IEBC Voters’ Register and proof of identification shall be either a National Identity Card or Kenyan Passport. No other identification document will be accepted. 
7. That at the close of voting, votes shall be counted and results announced at the polling stations which shall later be tallied at Constituency and County Tallying Centres. 
8. That the County and Constituency Returning Officers, Presiding Officers and clerks for the exercise shall be identified,appointed and supervised by the CORD Elections Board and NOT by aspirants or any other entity. 
9. That each successful candidate in the nominations shall be issued with a certificate of nomination by his or her sponsoring partner party. 
10. That the CORD Election Board has been mandated to expressly disqualify any candidate who engages in, sponsors or in any way abets violence prior to, during or after the nomination exercise.
11. That the following have been appointed members of the CORD Elections board:

• Hon. Franklin Bett Chair
• Sammy M. Mbova, CBS Vice Chair
• Ezekiel Wafula Secretary Other members include:
• Everett Wasike
• Hon. Judy Pareno
• Roy M. Mutisya
• Mary Muhuhu

The CORD Elections Board shall issue more details regrading this exercise in due course.

Dated in Nairobi this 5th January 2013
 
Signed: Hon. David Musila 
Hon. Dalmas Otieno

PM Raila Odinga Pays Tribute to Speaker and MPs in Terminal Speech to Tenth Parliament

STATEMENT OF RT. HON RAILA ODINGA PRIME MINISTER DURING PMQ TIME ON ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE GRAND COALITION GOVERNMENT/TENTH PARLIAMENT

The Prime Minister (Mr. Raila): Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me begin by wishing all hon. Members a very happy and prosperous year, 2013.

On January15, 2008, we gathered here to elect the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker and to swear in our then new Members of Parliament.

Many Kenyan watchers predicted that there would be serious legislative problems for the Government if what transpired in this House on that day, and the fighting that was going on across the country were anything to go by. Some predicted the prospect of a deadlock in Parliament and difficulties in passing essential Bills.

Since that time, a lot of water has passed under the bridge. A lot of positive things have gone on in the country and in this House these last five years. Today, I want to take a moment to pay tribute to the Tenth Parliament, the Government and the PRIME MINISTER’S TIME ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE GRAND COALITION GOVERNMENT/TENTH PARLIAMENT

The Prime Minister (Mr. Raila): Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me begin by wishing all hon. Members a very happy and prosperous year, 2013.

On January15, 2008, we gathered here to elect the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker and to swear in our then new Members of Parliament.

Many Kenyan watchers predicted that there would be serious legislative problems for the Government if what transpired in this House on that day, and the fighting that was going on across the country were anything to go by. Some predicted the prospect of a deadlock in Parliament and difficulties in passing essential Bills.

Since that time, a lot of water has passed under the bridge. A lot of positive things have gone on in the country and in this House these last five years. Today, I want to take a moment to pay tribute to the Tenth Parliament, the Government and the people of Kenya for the undying spirit and the resilience that has made us recover our breath and come this far. If this were a gathering of men and women of religion, we would all proclaim Ebenezer. I think that as a nation that believes in God, we can all say Ebenezer today. This far the Lord has brought us.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me continue by expressing sincere gratitude to all Members of this house and colleagues whom I have come to know as friends.

It has been quite an honor to interact, to serve and to exchange views with you, sometimes bitterly, but all, I believe, in our joint quest to make Kenya a better nation and to represent the feelings of our constituents.

There is reason for the Members of the Tenth Parliament to go out holding their heads high. Out of the bitter divides of the 2008, the Grand Coalition Government, the critical input of the Tenth Parliament has presided over:-

(i) the Promulgation and implementation of a new Constitution;

(ii) the Restoration of peace, including resettlement of most of the Internally Displaced Persons;

(iii) restoration of economic growth; and,

(iv) institutional working Government that, more than any other Government in recent times has achieved what many thought would be impossible even the best of times. 

Working closely with the Executive, the Tenth Parliament has overseen:-

(1) The biggest ever investment in the infrastructure development, with growth in roads, mobile telephony, energy and ICT standing out.

(2) Investment in food security through irrigated agriculture in ones neglected places like Turkana.

(3) Expansion of energy sources by investing in clean energy like geothermal, wind, solar and clean coal.

(4) Poverty reduction measures targeting vulnerable groups, including cash transfers to the poor and elderly currently piloting in various parts of the country.

(5) Expansion of free education to secondary schools and extending its benefits by providing sanitary towels to girls.

(6) Liberation of Somalia from Al Shabaab as part of our obligation to ourselves and to the global community to name but just a few.

The evolution of projects like the LAPSET, the Konza City and, above all, the promulgation of the new Constitution have been so grand that they could only have come from the era of big dreams that the Tenth Parliament and the Grand Coalition Government have come to represent. 

It is my hope that when the history of this country is written years later, with the benefit of hindsight, soberness and wisdom that comes with time, it will be more kind and gentle on the Grand Coalition and the Tenth Parliament than day to day reviews have been.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, each of us is hitting the campaign trail soon, except for a tiny minority that has opted out of elective politics. I want to wish each of you well as you seek to recapture your current seats or new ones. I hope you too will wish me success and victory.

(Applause)

I am sure that the violence of 2007/2008 is still fresh in the minds of each of us. I want to appeal to everyone that as we hit the campaign trail, let us not underestimate the impact we could make by getting involved in matters of peace, stability and national security.

As we campaign, let us not forget to remind Kenyans of the tasks ahead for the next Government. These include:-

 

(i) A faithful and full implementation of the Constitution.

(ii) Pursuit and implementation of Vision 2030 goals.

(iii) Attaining the 10 per cent plus growth as part of the Medium Term Plan goals of Vision 2030.

(iv) Security within our borders

(v) Deepening infrastructure development and in particular full implementation of LAPSET projects.

(vi) The creation of an ICT hub of the region; especially the development of Konza Techno City.

(vii) Reducing the cost of energy particularly through investment in green energysources.

(viii) Full integration of the EAC.

(ix) Ensuring a Peaceful Somalia and South Sudan.

(x) Ensuring food security for the country.

We are leaving this House at a moment in our history when Kenya faces daunting challenges. Some of our problems seem greater than our Government’s ability to solve them.

Poverty, massive youth unemployment, insecurity and tribalism stand out among the challenges. But I remain deeply optimistic about our country’s future. It is my view that all those challenges are surmountable. I am optimistic largely because of what I have experienced and witnessed in the last five years. I am especially encouraged by what we have been able to achieve after beginning so low five years ago.

With hindsight and experience under the Grand Coalition Government, I can state without fear that the greatest obstacle that stands between us and the brighter Kenyan future that we all want is right here among us. It is the polarization of our politics along tribal and party lines. This is what is preventing us from making the principled compromises this country desires and deserves.

In a democracy, moving forward depends on making compromises. We need a bipartisan understanding in our politics if we are to unleash all the potential of the Kenyan people. And so, I want to respectfully appeal to you, my colleagues, as you go out there to embark on campaigns. I know how hard each of us is going to work to get elected to the various seats that we are seeking. It is so engrossing that we may be tempted to forget that it is not about us; it is about Kenya.

As we campaign out there and as we return to this House next year, for those who will be successful, let us be prepared to reach across the party, tribal and regional divide.

Let us be prepared that for the sake of Kenya, when we gather in this House this year, each of us will reach across the aisle and party divide. Let us strive to and find partners from the opposite party. Let us put the interests of the country and constituents ahead of the dictates of party ideology.

I was not here a few days ago when His Excellency the President addressed this House for the last time. I want to join Members in thanking President Kibaki for his service to our nation. I also want to record my full appreciation for his co-operation within the Grand Coalition Government which has made it possible for us to reach this far. It has not always been easy. There has been all the time partisan pressure on both sides of the divide, that is, on President Kibaki and also on myself. However, through the spirit of compromise and tolerance, we have been able to make this Government move this far. I, therefore, want to wish him well as he prepares to retire and hope that the remaining days, until he hands over to whoever is going to be elected, are going to be smooth so that we do not experience what we saw in 2008. I thank you very much, hon. Members of Parliament.

Mr. Speaker: Right Honourable Prime Minister, so that you also know and it goes on record, on the same day that His Excellency the President addressed this House, the Kenya National Assembly hosted a dinner for him at the Inter-Continental Hotel to which all Members of Parliament were invited. His Excellency the President put it on record that he appreciated your support to him to manage the Coalition Government. So, please, note that he really acknowledged your efforts in the Coalition Government.

Hon. Members, following earnest requests by most of you, we will treat this Statement by the Prime Minister slightly differently. Those of you who may have clarifications will seek them, but we want to accord as many of you as we can some two minutes or so given the uniqueness of the title to the Prime Minister’s Statement this afternoon which is: Tribute to the Tenth Parliament.

So, you might as well want to acknowledge and appreciate yourselves. But those

of you who have had questions for the Prime Minister will be at liberty also to raise those

issues. So, we will do that for 30 minutes and the Prime Minister will have three minutes

to respond. Then we will close the matter. We want to begin with the Member for Gichugu.

Ms. Karua: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I want to join the Prime Minister in

paying tribute to ourselves as the Tenth Parliament. However, unlike him, I will say that,

yes, we did well in bringing forth legislation that helped this country stand up after the ashes that followed the disputed elections. We did well in passing the Constitution. We did well in passing the laws pursuant to the Constitution. But we know that we failed when passing some of those laws because of self-interest. We even deviated from the spirit of the Constitution. We need to acknowledge that on record.

I want to agree that the Grand Coalition Government has done very well in infrastructure, but they have done dismally in the fight against corruption and impunity.

However good the programmes and policies are of any government, without fighting corruption and impunity, the benefits can never reach the people and many of those programmes can never be implemented.

It is on record that up to now, we do not have a functional anti-corruption body because of the manipulations in the manner of appointments. We have not fulfilled the one-third gender rule. That, again, I will say it is Parliament because the President and the Prime Minister in this dispensation are Members of this Parliament. To me, that is a great shame.

I would say thank you to Kenyans and the people of Gichugu for allowing me to serve them for 20 years. Thank you to them because without them, I would not have been given the other responsibilities. I now seek from Kenyans the mandate to steer Kenya after President Kibaki; to fight corruption and impunity; to build and do better than the Grand Coalition Government that has ended up being the Grand Corruption Government.

I would say that where the Grand Coalition Government has reached, they are not capable of going beyond that in the fight against corruption and impunity. As I wish us well, I am unable to wish my fellow and worthy competitors luck because that luck should be to me solely, so that I take over from President Kibaki.

I want to thank the Prime Minister for initiating this appreciation and to appreciate Mr. Speaker. It is not that we may have agreed--- I may have agreed with the Speaker 100 per cent that he has done very well in a very difficult time. The President and the Prime Minister have steered a very difficult marriage which we expected to break any time. So, congratulations for steering a difficult marriage, but I now ask Kenyans to turn a new leaf in electing none other than myself to steer the country. I thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

(Applause)

Mr. Imanyara: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I, too, join the Prime Minister in expressing appreciation to the Tenth Parliament. When I say the Tenth Parliament, I start with you, Mr. Speaker and your leadership of this House. That is because you have been a worthy captain of the House. As the Prime Minister speaks to us as the Tenth Parliament, I recall, indeed, that the last time a Prime Minister stood before this House, he proceeded to become the President of the Republic of Kenya.

(Applause)

I am one of those who wish him well. I will support him to become the President of the Republic of Kenya, but I will be doing so with a word of caution that he be informed by events of the last five years.

The fight for the new Constitution has been a long struggle and we appreciate where we have come. However, the bigger challenge is in implementing that Constitution.

The challenges that we face are from the same sources that fought so hard to prevent passage of that Constitution.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, you will recall that we went late into the night in this House and, sometimes, forced to vote with our feet in order to save that Constitution. I see the

challenge ahead is from the same forces that will work day and night to prevent the realization of the full fruits of Independence under a new Constitution. So, Prime Minister, drawing from the parallels, be careful. I ask you to leave the Office of the Prime Minister as your predecessor did. The office is going to be abolished under the new Constitution. We are seeking a new dispensation under your leadership. My optimism for the future is informed by---

Mr. Speaker: Your time is up!

Mr. Imanyara: Please allow me 20 seconds.

Mr. Speaker: You want 20 seconds? Okay, that is granted.

Mr. Imanyara: Mr. Speaker, Sir, my optimism is informed by what I saw at Uhuru Park when the Vice-President and the Prime Minister launched a coalition that is

guaranteed to bring real change in this country and I wish them well.

The Minister for Forestry and Wildlife (Dr. Wekesa): Mr. Speaker, Sir, just like the Prime Minister, I was not able to be in the House when the President gave his Speech but I want to join him in congratulating the President for that wonderful speech and also for a good job that the President of this country has done in consultation and cooperation

with the Prime Minister. I remember the day that Kofi Annan came to this country to sort out our problems. I was one of the speakers in that meeting who said that we needed a grand coalition. I did that against opposition from many people in that

Chamber. I believed in a coalition at that time and I do believe in it even now and even in future. The days of one party system are much behind us. I do not think we will see Kenya come out with one party that produces a chief executive of this country.

Therefore, I am here to state very clearly that I appreciate the speech by the Prime

Minister. The Prime Minister and the President have been good examples of what a

coalition should be. If you remember, coalitions have been in Italy, India and so on. This coalition has stood the test of time in its five years. I do congratulate the Prime Minister and the President for steering us up to this time.

I know the Prime Minister, I know him very well. I remember when our President was in hospital and we were campaigning, then I joined the Prime Minister and we toured

this country. He campaigned for President Mwai Kibaki as if the post was going to be his and he is the one who said “Kibaki Tosha”. It looks to me now that some people have forgotten but I have not. Here, we have the next President.

Mr. Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Kwanza. Your time has been up a minute ago.

The Minister for Forestry and Wildlife (Dr. Wekesa): Please, allow me 20 seconds.

Mr. Speaker: Okay, 20 seconds, please conclude.

The Minister for Forestry and Wildlife (Dr. Wekesa): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I have always said that I know who the next president is going to be. I have told Kenyans and I never vote for losers. Raila Amollo Odinga is your next President.

Mr. Koech: Mr. Speaker, Sir, thank you for giving me this opportunity to sincerely thank the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister for giving us that Statement on tributes to the Tenth Parliament. Many a times when you listen to what goes on outside there you wonder whether anybody really recognizes and appreciates what this honourable House has done. Sometimes I even think that the Executive does not consider and look at how much this Parliament has done. This year alone, if my recollection is correct, we have been able to pass over 100 Bills as compared to only 17 Bills in---

Mr. Speaker: Hon. Member for Mosop, was it last year or this year?

Mr. Koech: Last year, Mr. Speaker, Sir. That is 2012. I did not say “happy new year” and that is why.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, when you hear this Parliament being bashed left right and

centre, you wonder whether the other quarter of this Government is actually seeing. The latest is when we passed the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendment) Bill that was

generated and originated from the Government for purposes of ensuring the passage of critical Bills before the end of this Parliament but the Executive has not even issued a

single statement to say how important it is.

Again last year, His Excellency the President, I believe in concurrence with the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, honored many Kenyans. But looking at them, I was surprised that in this House, they recognized Ministers only apart from only one passenger, Mr. Yusuf Chanzu. I want to thank the Executive for recognizing him but looking back again, you will discover that he was once an Assistant Minister in this Government.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like the Prime Minister to tell us---

Mr. Speaker: I am afraid your time is up. We must now get back to the rules. If we keep on spilling over, we may not have as many Members but you may get 20 seconds.

Mr. Koech: Mr. Speaker, Sir, how does the Prime Minister intend to honour Members of this honourable House beyond the accolades on the Floor of the House?

Mr. C. Kilonzo: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to thank the Prime Minister for allowing us to blow our own trumpets. There is no better opportunity than now. This Parliament has played a crucial role in fighting corruption despite the lack of cooperation from the Government. This is a Parliament which saw Ministers step aside from their offices because of the work done by this House. The Tenth Parliament is where the role of Committee has really improved and the general public has come to appreciate what the Committee of Parliament can do and what Parliament can actually do to serve their interests.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, although we started on a very shaky ground, I wish to thank my own party leader, the Prime Minister and the President for having kept this Government

moving. I do remember one time when I visited the Prime Minister’s office - I have to

mention this case because he might not be aware of a Kenyan lecturer who was stuck in a university in South Africa with a bill of Kshs18 million – after the Government’s

intervention, that lecturer was flown all the way from South African to Nairobi Hospital.

He has now recovered and has gone ahead to apply for a job in the National Land Commission. That shows that my party is where to go.

To conclude, there have been failures by all of us especially when it comes to addressing salaries of civil servants. These include the policemen, the nurses and the lecturers. I wish we could have done slightly better. It is my prayer that when we take over this Government that the first agenda---

Mr. Speaker: Your time is up!

The Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Onyancha): Mr. Speaker, Sir, first of all, I would like to state that at a personal level, it has been wonderful having been a first time Member of Parliament and having worked very closely with the Prime Minister and the Vice-President who were in the House and, indeed, with the Speaker himself. It has been a learning experience. The truth is that the Tenth Parliament has done wonderfully well. We tried to learn as fast as we could. I think we went through the learning processes very quickly and I think we did our job quite well.

For me, it was a very fortunate experience and the fact that the Prime Minister

participated in having me being appointed an Assistant Minister where I participated fully in making sure that I did well during the transitional period for South Sudanese

Government. I am also very proud to be associated with the Prime Minister and the President who made sure that Somalia finally becomes a stable and solidified African

country that hopefully will have success in future.

Lastly, I would like to say that it is important for this House to be cautious and clear that the public out there expects more. I believe we can do better with our Constituencies Development Fund (CDF) money and make sure that the implementation of the Constitution is successful. We should also work and make sure that corruption in this country is reduced to the minimal. At the same time, I wanted to say that I thank all

Members of this House for having made some of us really enjoy working here.

Finally, I hope that we have a very peaceful and successful election and I hope we will behave as gentlemen and ladies to get the best person to become the President of Kenya, and I hope it will be the Prime Minister, Raila Amollo Odinga.

Mr. Ochieng: Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to join my colleagues in congratulating the Prime Minister for the splendid speech that he gave especially in paying tribute to this House and to my fellow colleagues who have done very well since we came here in 2008.

At times, it was very hard just as it has been said by my colleagues that we felt that the

Government was going to collapse but, finally, we are here. I want to actually just repeat what my colleague, hon. Koech, has said that hon. Members deserve to be given medals just like their colleagues in the Cabinet because we have done very well. That is the only way we will also be appreciated by the Government. I want to believe that as we approach elections, we do so with sober and peaceful minds and because Kenya is one nation, I hope that this time round the elections will be very peaceful and let us have the Prime Minister being the president of this country. Thank you very much.

Mr. M’Mithiaru: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to congratulate the Prime Minister for the Statement and the tributes he has made to the

Tenth Parliament and also as we carried our business in the Tenth Parliament, we noted

the role you had played. In fact, you have been a cross cutting thread to ensure that the coalition was properly knit and everything went on quite well.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, we really knew this was a very loose coalition but the Prime Minister and the President brought us home because they actually went beyond their expectations. We have had instances where they talked about half a loaf of bread and consultations not being there but with all that, the Government remained one and we have actually seen the success that has been made through the developmental programmes that have been put in place.

Mine now is to wish all of us well as we go to the next elections and also to ensure that in the event of any other coalitions, we now have some experience and let us

ensure that we put Kenya first. Thank you so much.

Mr. Mbau: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Sir for giving me a chance to also thank the Prime Minister for initiating debate in paying tribute to ourselves as hon. Members of this Tenth Parliament simply because even though hon. Members of this House have been applauded by the President himself for having done and achieved a record passage of Bills, the public sometimes chooses not to appreciate what Members of

Parliament do.

The other day, we passed the Omnibus Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendment) Bill and even though the Bill had meant a lot for what work is set for this House, some segments of the public chose not to see that one simple amendment which was aimed to ensure that instead of us not being Members of Parliament by January, they chose to see that hon. Members only wanted to hold onto to their party membership or rather to have more time to remain hon. Members instead of seeing that committees have a lot of unfinished business, which if that law was not amended, we would collapse and become irrelevant or redundant and not be able to transact business anymore. I think it is high time that we also told the public that there is a lot more that we do as committees beyond what they think.

Mr. Duale: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to thank you for the role that you have

played in making sure that Parliament finishes its mandate and for the Prime Minister, I want to say categorically that that I am a very good student of his politically. We were

together in 2007. We might not be together in 2013 but having said that, I want to thank him for chairing and bringing together the coalition that had ups and downs. I want to thank the Prime Minister for playing his role for the period that he was the Prime Minister of Kenya. I wish him luck.

I want to tell him that if he wins in the elections, we will work with him and if we win the elections, we want him and his colleagues in the Coalition for Restoration of Democracy (CORD) and the Vice-President, who is my neighbor, to also work with the Jubilee Coalition. This is a Jubilee Coalition and this is a jubilee year and we expect to

win the elections. We are telling everybody to make the political competition a peaceful one and a transition that will make Kenya a better place to live. Mr. Prime Minister, we wish you well and a long life.

The Minister for Public Works (Mr. Obure): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. First, I want to associate myself with the sentiments expressed here in congratulating the Prime

Minister for a good statement. This Parliament has been very successful led by you – a

very impartial, fair and very firm Speaker. You will be remembered for the landmark

rulings you made while presiding over the affairs of this House. This House will be

remembered for its role in passing a new Constitution. It will be remembered for the large number of pieces of legislation which were passed and the large number of Motions which were passed in this Parliament.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, we know that the Constitution has its own challenges of implementing it but I am appealing to hon. Members to play their role to ensure that the Constitution which Kenyans fought for so hard is realized and actualized. If you go around the country today in various constituencies, you will see projects initiated by hon.

Members of this House. In fact, projects related to health, schools, water and all the rest have been done under the supervision of these hon. Members of Parliament and they have demonstrated that the little resources that have been made available through the devolved arrangement can actually work. So, I want to congratulate the various hon. Members for supervising the use of the Constituencies Development Fund (CDF) effectively for the benefit of the people.

I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the Coalition Government. This Coalition Government will be remembered for the massive infrastructure projects

initiated.

The Assistant Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology (Mr. Kamama): Mr. Speaker, Sir, thank you for giving me this chance to thank the Prime Minister for the good expose on what this House has achieved since its inception or since this Parliament began. I also want to thank him for being the sober politician that he has been since he became the Prime Minister of this Republic. Of course, he is going to be the last Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya because our Constitution does not recognize this position again. I want to thank you for your landmark ruling, namely, the Solomonic wisdom that you have given in this House on several matters, Bills and contentious issues. You have been one of our best Speakers if not the best Speaker. I want to shower accolades to all the Members of Parliament for doing very well on the ground in their constituencies and in this House. Our Members have burnt the midnight oil to ensure that several Bills are legislated and enacted in this House. I want to thank the Members for also playing a great role in the promulgation of the new Constitution. I also want to thank our friends in the Jubilee Coalition for preparing themselves to take over the next Government and give Kenyans the best leadership that they have never seen in this country.

Mr. Ngugi: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to join my colleagues in thanking the Prime Minister for paying tribute to the Members. I wish to pay tribute to the Members. I also

want to pay tribute to all Kenyans who elected the Members of the Tenth Parliament.

They did a wonderful job. This has been a House that will be remembered for a long time to come.

On 20th December, 2012, the President paid tribute, particularly to two Committees of this House, namely, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Public Investments Committee (PIC), for the very diligent work they had have done in keeping the Government on its toes. I want to say, on behalf of the PAC, which I am a Member, that no Minister should take personal grudge on the Members of the PAC or the PIC for having done their work. We did our work to serve Kenyans and even if we were to be elected again, we would do the same work.

I want to end by thanking the Prime Minister. He has been a good example. He has worked very closely with the President. He has been a good example to all of us who are first timers. To you, Mr. Speaker, you have steered this House very well and we wish you the best for the future. For those of us who are going to be governors will emulate what you, the Prime Minister and the President have done.

The Minister of State for Public Service (Mr. Otieno): Mr. Speaker, Sir, thank you for giving me this opportunity. I just want to make one statement. As a Minister, during the last session, responsible for monitoring and evaluating performance, totally, it was an excellent score for the National Assembly in this Session. Without belabouring the point, you gave benchmark rulings in the Assembly. The Assembly, as a whole, has had record performance in legislation. Initially, when we had the leadership of this Government, namely, the President, the Prime Minister and the Vice-President, it appeared as if it was not workable, but they have demonstrated to Kenyans that all is possible if the leaders are willing to do so.

Finally, I wish to commend the performance of the lady Members of the Tenth

Parliament. I regret that we did not legislate on the gender rule and we may have fewer female Members or less active, but from the record of the Tenth Parliament, it is highly commendable that Ms. Karua did an excellent job. Hon. Shebesh did a perfect job. Hon. Laboso is an excellent Chair at the same time. Hon. Kamar has great happiness in performance. My brother here tells me if I made a mistake of mentioning names, hon. Odhiambo-Mabona should be mentioned ten times and hon. Kilimo should be mentioned six times. It was a great pleasure working with them.

Mr. Speaker: Your time is up, hon. Otieno. I have just three minutes and I have two persons that have been persistent and they are almost neighbors. So, I want them to share those three minutes; one and a half minute each, hon. Munya and then we will finish with your neighbor, who I will identify in a moment.

The Assistant Minister for East African Community (Mr. Munya): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I take this opportunity to congratulate the Prime Minister for work well done when steering this Government together with the President. But may I also give a word of caution to the two grand coalitions that are poised on trying to take over the Government in the coming elections. When they take over, they should follow the practice of the two Coalition partners, not to exclude Kenyans who are not in the coalitions. If they practice politics of exclusion, they are not likely to go very far in running the Government because the Constitution is very clear on how resources should be shared in the country. Every Kenyan is entitled to a share of the national cake. When you do coalitions that divide the country and share the national cake amongst the coalition partners, you give the impression that you intend to exclude those who are not members or supporters of those collations. It does not augur well for the welfare and the development of the country.

Therefore, when you take over the Government, make sure that you take care of all the Kenyans, whether they are members of your coalitions or not. Otherwise, you will find a very rough time in attempting to run the Government or that mandate that you will be given.

The Minister for Energy (Mr. Murungi): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I also want to join my colleagues in thanking the Prime Minister for leading us in paying tribute to the Tenth Parliament. We have been in this Parliament for some time now, but I think this is the most vibrant Parliament that we have been in. I am one of those who did not vote for you when you were being elected Speaker, but I want to assure you that if we were to vote again tomorrow, count on my vote. I am going to vote for you!

The Grand Coalition has done extremely well given the difficult circumstances we were in. It has brought peace and security. It has laid down firm foundations for prosperity for this country. The Prime Minister is a great nationalist. He has great ideas for this country. We have been opposing him and we are also going to oppose him again, but I must say that I have enjoyed working in the Grand Coalition Government. It is not a bad idea. We could not have enacted the new Constitution without this Grand Coalition Government. I want to encourage the Prime Minister to start some discussions with his Deputy, Mr. Kenyatta, so that we can have another grand coalition between CORD and the Jubilee Alliance, so that we can lead this country in peace and prosperity for another five years until 2017. If we do not do that, this country will be split and taken to the political struggles that were there between Jomo Kenyatta and the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in the 1960s. We are likely to split the country.

Mr. Speaker: Hon. Murungi, your time is up. Hon. Prime Minister, you may now want to respond.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Raila): Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me thank all the Members

who have contributed to this discussion. There is not much for me to respond to because no specific issues were raised. The Members basically also took the opportunity to thank themselves.

However, one or two issues stand out here. Hon. Karua was particularly concerned about corruption. The Member has been a Member of the Front Bench for a long time. In the last Parliament, she was on the Front Bench for five years and even in this Parliament, she was very much part of it and she knows the issues about corruption. I believe very strongly that we, as a country, must address the issue of corruption more effectively. It is a pity that the compromises you have in a coalition also make it difficult to deal with the issue of corruption because sometimes culprits take solace and refuge in the divisions that come with the coalition. If they are being targeted, they go and say: “Oh, I am being targeted because I belong to this side of the coalition”.

In my view, that has made the fight against corruption much more difficult in this coalition era. The Members know that names were brought to this House for approval as members of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

It is a pity that so far, we have not been able to set up an effective anti-corruption commission. The reasons are well known to the Members of the House. Equally, I strongly regret the fact that we have not passed legislation to effect the one-third gender rule, which is in the Constitution. It is a pity. However, there is a way out because the courts have ruled that this must be rectified by the year 2015. I hope that in the course of the life of the next Parliament, we are going to come up with legislation which will enable us to satisfy the provisions of the gender rule. We can use the results of these coming elections and the votes which would be obtained by the various political parties as the basis for allocating seats on the gender basis within that period. In other words, it does not have to last beyond the life of the next Parliament. I am determined to ensure that, that happens.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I need to congratulate you, specifically, for the role you have played as captain of this House. You have steered the debates and discussions in this House in a very civilized manner. You have managed to depolarize politics within this House. Sometimes you have been called upon to resolve differences within the Executive itself. Issues which, even as you said, were not within your own purview or responsibility, have come before you and you have helped us in making the Grand Coalition Government function smoothly. For example, when we disagreed on the issue of the appointments of the Chief Justice, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Attorney-General and the Controller of Budget, you assisted us despite the fact that there were very strong and passionate feelings among other Members.

All that I was doing was just to ensure that no Presidency is created which will enable the Executive to abuse the provisions of the Constitution. With that intervention, we now have a Chief Justice who everybody agrees is equal to the enormous task of judicial reforms.

Finally, at times, it has not been very easy to handle this position as a Prime Minister. I have now the honor to be the last Prime Minister because this position is going to be extinct in the new constitutional dispensation. It is not an easy position particularly when you are the Prime Minister in a Grand Coalition Government, when you share power with the President on a 50-50 basis.

Sometimes partisan issues come into play which undermine the effectiveness of the position of a Prime Minister. But we have managed to tolerate and move forward. The President has sometimes come under a lot of partisan pressure. I know when the President is acting as himself and when he is acting under partisan pressure. I have equally also come under a lot of partisan pressure.

Sometimes you are being told that: “Oh, you are being subservient to your coalition partner. They are getting the better of you and you are not being treated as an equal partner”. But we have looked at the bigger good of the country and tried to resist the pressures which would have resulted in the collapse of the Coalition Government.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, we are happy that we have reached this far. We have been two

equal partners in the Grand Coalition Government. One coalition partner is now retiring and I know that hon. Members will agree with me that the other coalition partner, who has the experience, should continue so that there is continuity in the Government.