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Azimio La Umoja One Kenya leader Raila Odinga yesterday continued with the onslaught against the Kenya Kwanza government’s plans to privatise some state entities.

The former Prime Minister who spoke during the funeral of Mama Phyllis Mwethya in Machakos claimed that the intention to sell some corporations was only meant to benefit a few individuals but not the entire country.

“Kenyans should read between the lines. They are saying that they want to sell to some private individuals but the truth is that they want to benefit themselves. They want to buy these corporations for their benefit,” he said.

Raila vowed to oppose any attempt to sell the corporations emphasising that the privatisation efforts will face resistance. Mama Mwethya, was the mother of Embakasi South MP Julius Mawathe.

Corporations to be sold are the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) Kenya Literature Bureau, National Oil Corporation, Kenya Seed Company Limited, Mwea Rice Mills, Western Kenya Rice Mills Limited, Kenya Pipeline Company, New Kenya Cooperative Creameries, Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers Limited, Rivatex East Africa Limited and Numerical Machining Complex.

Rise to power

In his address, Odinga blamed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman, Wafula Chebukati, where he accused him of improperly facilitating the Kenya Kwanza government’s rise to power.

“Kenya Kwanza had no plans to be the government; they didn’t expect to be the ruling party. Chebukati was the one who forcefully gave them the position they were in when they didn’t have plans to create a good government.

That’s why they have problems of not knowing how to rule, and we can’t assist them,” stated the Azimio leader. Meanwhile, in Nairobi Jubilee Party faction affiliated to the Kenya Kwanza yesterday endorsed the report of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) saying that it has set a good precedent that Kenyans should not always be going to the streets after the polls.

The over 30 Members of Parliament (MPs) speaking in Nairobi hailed the committee for its diligent efforts in addressing critical issues and for championing the use of dialogue as a means to resolve national differences.

“The report reflects the immense progress achieved in tackling the identified issues of concern, underscoring the significance of dialogue in fostering unity and togetherness as opposed to violence and hate.”

“The National Dialogue Committee has exemplified true nationhood and patriotism, transcending entrenched political divisions to pave the way for compromises essential to our nation’s progress,” said Nominated MP Sabina Chege.

Governance issues

While acknowledging the gains, the MPs said that much ought to be done, especially the economy. Eldas MP Adan Keynan noted issues touching on governance and State capture should also be addressed as soon as possible. “Likewise, a relook into Article 37 of the constitution on demonstrations and picketing was not addressed by the Dialogue Committee.

The violent scenes and destruction of property in the guise of demonstrations needed to be addressed,” he said. The MPS commended NADCO for its recommendations on electoral justice which entails audit of the 2022 election process, restructuring and reconstitution of the IEBC and an increase of the timelines for the Supreme Court to hear and determine a presidential election petition from 14 to 21 days.

However, the Jubilee faction led by Jeremiah Kioni dismissed the Chege group saying they are not authorized to speak on behalf of the party. Kioni said the Chege group was violating a court ruling last week locking them from participating in a case filed for determination on whether Azimio or Kenya Kwanza is the majority in Parliament.

“The court is very clear on who should be speaking on behalf of the party. The court ruled that status quo remains and to that effect I am the party’s spokesperson and the rest should just be treated as busy bodies,” said Kioni.