Opposition leaders have threatened to rally their supporters in street demonstrations if the national assembly will pass proposed amendments to electoral laws. In a joint press statement, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Leader, Raila Odinga and his Amani National Congress (ANC) counterpart, Musalia Mudavadi urged opposition Members of Parliament to shoot down the amendments.
“We read mischief in the proposed amendments,” remarked Odinga who accused the Jubilee government of using its numerical strength in parliament to make constitutional changes in its favour.
Even as parliament reconvenes for a special sitting on Tuesday morning, CORD Co-Principal Raila Odinga alleged President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto were scheming to do away with Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits.
“They simply want to take us back where we were with rigging next year’s presidential elections as their main agenda,” claimed the opposition chief, adding the formation of National Super Alliance (NASA) had sent their rivals to panic mode.
Odinga described the diversionary politics, by a section of MPs in the ruling coalition claiming the opposition was planning to rig forthcoming general elections.
“Those are part of scarecrow tactics from the ruling coalition which has already sensed defeat,” stated Odinga, insisting the opposition will return to the streets if parliament amends electoral laws.
His sentiments were echoed by Mudavadi who drummed support for free and fair elections.
The two demanded outgoing Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson, Isaak Hassan and team to immediately vacate office, claiming their continued stay was suspect.
“Hassan and his team are laying sufficient ground for electoral malpractices before new commissioners take the office,” alleged Odinga.
The two opposition luminaries were at Kipkaren village in Lugari Sub County where they attended the burial ceremony for Mama Agnes Iprong’e on Monday.
The late Iprong’e who died at 98, was mother to Retired Bishop Emeritus Philip Sulumeti.