Uhuru to Raila: We won’t share power

President Kenyatta acknowledges the crowd during Sunday’s Madaraka Day celebrations at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. He said Jubilee had an eight-point plan to boost security, improve maternal health and education and equip the youth for jobs. RAPHAEL NJOROGE | NATION 

In Summary

• In a rejoinder to Mr Kenyatta’s statement that he would not share power with the Opposition, Mr Odinga Sunday said Cord was not interested in joining government.  

By PETER LEFTIE
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President Uhuru Kenyatta Sunday welcomed calls for national dialogue to discuss challenges facing the country but ruled out sharing power with opposition politicians.

 

Addressing the nation during the 51st Madaraka Day celebrations at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairob, Mr Kenyatta said he was ready to enter into talks with the opposition on issues facing the country including on how to reduce the public wage bill and the security threats posed by terrorism.

After he had delivered his official speech, in which he outlined his government’s plans and successes, Mr Kenyatta spoke in Kiswahili in his response to the ultimatum given by the Opposition on Saturday in which Cord leader Raila Odinga gave the government until July 7 to convene a national dialogue conference.

“Jana nilisikia wale wenzetu wakisema wanataka tuongee kama wakenya. Niko tayari kuongea na viongozi wote. (Yesterday I heard our friends saying they want dialogue as Kenyans. I am read for talks with all leaders)”, the President said.

He asked Cord leaders to table their views if they had agreed to work with the government.

He however added that the Jubilee government would not enter into any power sharing deal with the opposition. “Sisi kama serikali ya Jubilee tulichaguliwa na wananchi kuongoza hii nchi kwa miaka mitano na tutafanya hivyo, ile mambo ya nusu mkate haitakuwa (We as the Jubilee government were elected by the public to lead this country for five years and we will do that, that matter about a half loaf will not be there),” he said as the crowd cheered.

Mr Kenyatta was responding to remarks made by Cord leader Kalonzo Musyoka who on Saturday had suggested that Jubilee form an all inclusive government and that the opposition must be involved in the country’s governance.

Said Mr Musyoka: “We are telling them  Kenyans have a case with the Jubilee government, they cannot pretend to do things alone, we also have a stake in the country and we are asking them to come join us and we agree on issues moving forward.”

Not interested

In a rejoinder to Mr Kenyatta’s statement that he would not share power with the Opposition, Mr Odinga Sunday said Cord was not interested in joining government.  

“Hon Raila Odinga wishes to state that the Cord coalition has never contemplated and will never contemplate, joining the government,” said a statement sent to the Nation by his spokesman, Mr Dennis Onyango.

However, the statement said that Cord would not backtrack on its calls for national dialogue to discuss important issues facing the country such as the high cost of basic necessities, peace, security, runaway corruption, strengthening devolution  and the overhaul of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

“Cord’s intervention is driven by a growing feeling that the Jubilee administration has lost touch with the pains of ordinary Kenyans who struggle with house rent, bus fare, school fees and high cost of basic commodities like milk and unga,” he said.

He said that the coalition was concerned that Jubilee was failing to address the effects of the travel advisories issued by foreign government like the US, the UK and Australia.

In his speech at Nyayo Stadium, Deputy President William Ruto said Jubilee leaders were ready to work with all Kenyans and all leaders to build a united country.
“History has said that this is the generation of Kenyans that will create the Kenyan nation out of our tribes, our religions and our regions,” he said.

“For all of us who are serving in the government, we have one leader, one government and we will work for those who voted for us and those who did not”.

He said the government had unveiled a Marshall Plan to harness youth talent. They will also ensure that students in mid-level colleges get loans like their university counterparts.

And at Kathwana market in Tharaka-Nithi, Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki also ruled out any power sharing talks between Jubilee and Cord and urged the opposition to provide solutions to various problems facing the country instead of constantly criticising the government.

He also said the government was not ready to support changes to the Constitution to pave way for a power sharing formula.

Prof Kindiki said the previous coalition government of President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga had demonstrated that such arrangements derailed development due to constant wrangles.

“Politics of forming a wrangling government will not be welcomed. We want national dialogue to deal with insecurity. We want national dialogue to make sure our youth get jobs.

Additional reporting by Charles Wanyoro