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Cord to unveil referendum Bill


Cord is preparing to launch its referendum Bill next week, before initiating the next round of campaigns around the country.

Okoa Kenya secretariat Chairman Paul Mwangi on Sunday said the Constitutional Amendment Draft Bill would be launched on April 9.

“We will be proceeding with the process that we suspended due to the media blackout occasioned by the differences over digital migration last month,” said Mr Mwangi.

He said the public would be invited to participate on the Bill as the push for a referendum continues.

“We are still processing the petitions by vetting the registers to ensure the signatures are in order. We plan to do the launch at the Bomas of Kenya,” he said.

The referendum issues have been merged to focus on electoral, land and judicial reforms as well as strengthening devolution.

Plans to launch the draft Bill last week were shelved to allow Cord leader Raila Odinga to complete his trips in China and Germany.

“We previously thought it could be launched on Friday last week but Cord leader Raila Odinga has been away,” said Suna East MP Junet Mohammed.

WAR AGAINST CORRUPTION

At the same time, ODM lawmakers have accused President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto of being selective in the corruption war.

Siaya Senator James Orengo and MPs Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo) and Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda) said taking the list of suspected corrupt individuals to Parliament was playing with the minds of Kenyans.

The leaders said what the President did was wrong and urged him to uphold the rule of the law.

They were speaking at Sega Township Primary School on Saturday during the funeral of North Ugenya Ward Rep Bernard Omondi.

Mr Orengo said there was need to deal with corruption without considering political or ethnic affiliation.

Mr Orengo, who is also mentioned in the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission report, said he was willing to step aside.

“I am ready to take full responsibility even at a personal level to prove my innocence,” said the senator.

He said he had done it in the past and would do it again if need be.

“I am prepared to carry my cross. This will ensure that my conscience in clear and my mission on earth is fulfilled,’’ he said.