ODM wants ECK disbanded
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has demanded that a new team be appointed at the Electoral Commission of Kenya before the pending by-elections are held. Party leaders Raila Odinga, Musalia Mudavadi and Najib Blala said that the commission was to blame for the chaos that has rocked the country and that voters had lost faith in it following what they (the leaders) called its mishandling of the disputed December 2007 elections. Said Mr Balala: “The ECK team should resign so that its officials are investigated.” Mr Odinga also demanded that the current commissioners ‘‘should not organise or supervise any of the forthcoming by-elections.’’ The leaders were addressing thousands of mourners who turned up for Embakasi MP Melitus Were’s burial in Budalangi at which one of the MP’s widows was barred from viewing her husband’s remains.
ODM also rubbished government assurances that it would get to the bottom of the killing of the party’s two MPs. Mr Were was killed on January 9 as he returned to his Woodley estate home in Nairobi at midnight. The killings sent political shockwaves across the country and prompted violently demonstrations as ODM termed it political assassination. Mr Were’s burial also came amid protest from his father who wanted his body laid to rest in Mumias.
In yesterday’s incident, the late MP’s second wife Agnes Wairimu was pushed as she made her way to where the coffin was placed, as some family members shouted their objection to her presence. A male mourner pushed her away towards the main dais where ODM leaders were sitting as another watched over the coffin to bar her from approaching.
Quick intervention by legislators Fred Gumo and Ababu Namwamba cooled tempers and she was given a seat at the main dais. She was later driven away. Addressing the mourners, Mr Odinga said the country’s history was replete with incidents of political assassination dating back to the 1960s and which, until now, had remained unresolved despite government promises to do so.
While supporting the Kofi Annan talks aimed at resolving the political impasse in the country, Mr Odinga said what the country needed was a new constitution that will decentralise power and eradicate poverty.
Speaker of the National Assembly Kenneth Marende said the killing of Mr Were and Ainamoi’s David Too had compounded an already volatile situation in the country. “The killing might have been meant to cause fear among Kenyans of goodwill but it will create an impetus for a nation where justice is the shield and defender,” said Mr Marende.
He said the police and the Attorney-General should conclude investigations into the two killings and prosecute those involved.
ODM chairman Henry Kosgey said the party was determined to bring about comprehensive reforms that would bar those with “raw greed for power” from throwing the country into chaos.
Daily Nation
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