Is the problem law or Raila? Ruto asks on national resistance

Deputy President William Ruto speaks during a news conference with members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of East Africa in his official residence in Karen, Nairobi, October 17, 2017. /REUTERS
Deputy President William Ruto speaks during a news conference with members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of East Africa in his official residence in Karen, Nairobi, October 17, 2017. /REUTERS

Deputy President William Ruto has criticised the Opposition for attempting to use unconstitutional means to push for political change.

This was in light of NASA's launch of the National Resistance Movement whose aim is to pile pressure on the government until a "legitimate" presidency is restored.

Civil disobedience and the boycott of products and services from certain companies associated with the government or its cronies are among NASA's arsenal.

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The coalition insists it is using constitutionally sanctioned means to advance its agenda but the DP does not think so.

"Those who campaigned against the old constitution have started campaigning against the new one again. So, is the law the problem or are they?" Ruto tweeted on Friday.

Prior to the 2010 referendum, Ruto was in the 'NO' camp that opposed the current constitution.

NASA leader Raila Odinga was in charge of the 'YES' camp that carried the day with 67 per cent of the vote.

The Opposition chief however appears to have embarked on a mission to violate certain tenets of the supreme law that he so vehemently vouched for seven years ago.

This became apparent particularly after the bungled August 8 polls when Raila started making certain demands not expressly provided for in the constitution.

This includes calls for express dismissal of IEBC commissioners and the postponement of the repeat election beyond the constitutionally stipulated time frame of 60 days.

Ruto and the entire Jubilee brigade, including President Uhuru Kenyatta, have criticised the former prime minister over this.

The DP feels Raila is rooting for constitutional change using clandestine and illegal means.

He wrote: "If you cannot respect the constitution that exists then don't waste your time making a new one. It will suffer the same fate."

This was in reference to NRM's plan to use what they call the People's Assembly to review sections of the constitution that they deem unfavorable to their course.

The assembly will comprise governors, deputy governors, members of the senate, national and county assemblies, religious leaders, trade unions and civil society leaders and representatives of youth and women organisations.

The plan is for NASA governors to form a special committee to review the constitution to address key issues.

The NASA technical committee will draft a memorandum that will be introduced in county assemblies as a Bill. Governors in charge will ensure it is passed and approved by their respective cabinets.

They will then push for the national enactment of the approved

laws.

"The convention shall make decisions and recommendations to achieve democracy, constitutionalism and restore legality, and form any bodies or organise other platforms for purposes of attaining its declared objectives," ODM CEO Norman Magaya told journalists on Wednesday.

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