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ODM to seek supporters consent
Story by SOLLO KIRAGU and WALTER MENYA
10. Feb. 2008
ODM leaders have said they would seek the consent of their
supporters countrywide before committing their party to
resolutions of the National Dialogue and Reconciliation Committee
headed by former UN secretary general Kofi Annan.
However, party leaders Raila Odinga and Anyang’ Nyong’o were
categorical that ODM would not accept a solution to the current
political impasse which did not address the controversial outcome
of the General Election.
“We will not accept a solution that betrays trust bestowed upon
us. Part of the solution would be to address past injustices
including the stolen elections,” said the Lang’ata MP. He siad
that failure to address the issue of vote rigging would lead to
voter apathy.
Mr Odinga also called for the resignation of the Police
Commissioner, Maj-Gen Hussein Ali, over the manner in which he
handled the violence and killings that followed the disputed
presidential election results.
The leaders were speaking at Chepkoiyo Primary School during the
funeral service for the slain Ainamoi Member of Parliament, Mr
David Too. Over 40 ODM MPs attended the funeral.
Prof Nyong’o repeated the party’s call for the formation of a
transitional government as part of resolving the political impasse
in the country.
In a dramatic twist, Mr Odinga absolved Electoral Commission
Chairman Samuel Kivuitu from blame over the controversial poll
results, saying the culprits were commissioners loyal to President
Kibaki.
Pentagon members Najib Balala and William Ruto said the party had
proposed comprehensive reforms which would address land problems
facing the country.
Mr Ruto said the current crisis should be used as an opportunity
to carry out the much needed amendments to the Constitution.
South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara accused the police of failing to
deal firmly with the clashes at the Borabu/Bomet border.
He urged the Kipsigis and the Kisii communities to live in peace,
saying that, as neighbours, they stood to gain more from living in
harmony.
Speaker of the National Assembly Kenneth Marende asked police to
fully investigate the death of Mr Too, or else the public would
lose confidence in the Force.
Sotik MP Lorna Laboso and her Belgut counterpart Charles Keter
said the killing of Mr Too and Embakasi’s Melitus Were -- both of
ODM -- had united the party.
Mr Too was shot dead last week in Eldoret. A traffic policeman has
since been charged in court with the killing.
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