Cord to push for referendum on key issues

Posted  Monday, July 7, 2014 |  by- Nation Reporter

Cord leaders on Monday said the opportunity for dialogue with the government had passed and they

Cord principals from left Kalonzo Musyoka, Raila Odinga and Moses Wetangua sing the national anthem during the Saba Saba rally in Uhuru Park on July 7, 2014. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE

Cord leaders on Monday said the opportunity for dialogue with the government had passed and they will now push for a national referendum on 'critical challenges' facing the country.

The leaders led their supporters in holding the Saba Saba rally in Uhuru Park which was characterised by a heavy deployment of anti-riot police.

(READ: Live - Saba Saba rally)

(READ: Tension in Kisumu as youths stage riots)

They announced 13 resolutions at the end of the rally which included the formation of Okoa Kenya movement.

The movement will "defend our Constitution, protect the gains we have made in democratic governance and rededicate ourselves to national unity and peaceful co-existence."

They also resolved to convene a National Referendum Committee (NRC) to push for a national referendum on challenges facing Kenya.

The mandate the National Referendum Committee will be to ensure 'participation in the proposed referendum, formulation of the referendum question and collecting and collating one million signatures to initiate the referendum.'

They also demanded for the immediate disbandment of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the establishment of a new electoral body.

The opposition leaders also demanded the Jubilee government to review taxes and threatened to lead a boycott of 'consumption of goods and services whose prices are beyond the reach of the common mwananchi and commence commercial sanctions against companies which continue to ignore our plight.'