It’s not over yet, Cord says after Uhuru signs security law

Cord Friday reacted to the signing into law of the Security Laws (Amendment) Act, 2014 by

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) Friday reacted to the signing into law of the Security Laws (Amendment) Act, 2014 by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

In a statement, Cord said that the signing into law of the contentious Bill was another phase of the struggle to liberate Kenya.

The statement reiterated Cord’s position that what was passed by the National Assembly was a bad law and was not in good faith.

“The real target of this 'law’ is not terrorism.

“Its aim is to reintroduce the police state and political hegemony for the enjoyment of the remnants of Kanu who are keen to reintroduce what Kenyans fought so hard to defeat,” said the statement.

At the same time, the Opposition said they would explore all constitutional options to defeat the effect of the new law.

COUNTRYWIDE CAMPAIGN

Cord leaders also vowed to stage a countrywide campaign in a bid to unite Kenyans to stand against the law.

“The President’s assent is just the beginning of another phase of the struggle to liberate Kenya,” said Kalonzo Musyoka during a press conference.

Mr Musyoka accused Speaker Justin Muturi of presiding over a shambolic exercise that failed to follow the required criteria.

The Cord brigade who accompanied Mr Musyoka accused the Jubilee administration of arm-twisting the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission into harassing and intimidating Opposition MPs.

 

 

(READ: Ethics commission to probe rowdy MPs)

“EACC has also been completely toothless in the face of rampant corruption in the Jubilee regime, which in fact is at the heart of the wave of insecurity across the country,” the Cord leaders said.

They also rubbished reports by EACC that it would take action against MPs who caused disruption in Parliament saying they were protected by the Privileges Act.

The leaders accused President Kenyatta of working to return the country into the dark days where impunity was the order of the day.

The leaders said there were serious procedural breaches that were overlooked by the Speaker during the passage of the law where even 'strangers’ contributed in the vote.

“The speaker ignored the law and proceeded with the passing of the draconian bill.

“It is our considered opinion that the enactment of law is a process, and if any of the stages therein is flawed, that vitiates the entire process and the resultant law is a nullity,” Mr Musyoka, who spoke on behalf of Cord, said.

Budalang'i MP Ababu Namwamba said Mr Muturi displayed a behaviour never seen before in Parliament by even hiding the mace.

“We had even sergeant-at-arms contributing during the scuffle. The speaker overlooked these serious breaches while passing the so-called law,” the leaders said.

Cord said it will now turn to Kenyans and the courts to force President Kenyatta and Parliament to dismiss the law.

Among those who accompanied Mr Musyoka during the press briefing included senators Moses Wetangula, James Orengo, Boni Khalwale, Hassan Omar and MPs Millie Odhiambo and Mr Namwamba.