ODM MPs to lead signature hunt in constituencies

ODM Secretary General Anyang' Nyong'o with party MPs during a press conference at Orange House in Nairobi on August 28, 2014. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• ODM has accused the government of intimidating members of county assemblies.
• Mr Odinga launched the signature collection drive for the referendum last Saturday in Migori County.

Members of Parliament from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will lead signature-collection exercises in their respective constituencies.

The MPs agreed Thursday that they would also educate constituents on issues to be raised in the planned referendum so as to achieve the target of five million signatures.

“The referendum plane has already taken off and is unstoppable — it is no longer a subject of debate.

“ODM legislators will join their Cord family colleagues, the civil society, religious leaders and Kenyans of all walks of life in drumming up the support for the referendum now and during the campaigns for the same,” ODM Secretary-General Anyang’ Nyong’o said.

'INTIMIDATION'

Mr Nyong’o read a statement Thursday after ODM's Parliamentary Group meeting at Orange House. Party leader Raila Odinga was present.

ODM, meanwhile, accused the government of intimidating members of county assemblies (MCAs) over the referendum.

The legislators claimed the Jubilee government was promising MCAs offices and car grants to stop them from supporting the referendum campaign.

“We therefore demand that (the) government should stop intimidating MCAs with what’s not provided for in the budget,” Mr Nyong’o said.

Mr Odinga launched the signature-collection drive last Saturday in Migori County.

(READ: Raila starts signature hunt as MCAs fail to reach deal)