• Raila said a parliamentary process proposed by Ruto may not serve its intended purpose.
•The CS said Kenyans should stand up, reject people who want to get to power using the backdoor.
Image: STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has opened up as to why he is against ‘backdoor’ attempts of Opposition Chief Raila Odinga to join the government.
Speaking in State Hosue on Tuesday, Duale said that power-sharing not only loses the essence of elections but also ‘kills’ democracy.
He explained how it was only in Kenya where national elections pass through the required parameters but still have one ‘unique’ person opposing it almost six months after the exercise
“Every night it amazes me that every election in our country including preparations passes through the required parameter,” Duale explained.
“Preparations of elections, the conduct of elections, the announcement of results, the position of the supreme court. Then seven months later, somebody comes and says there is a whistleblower who no one knows,” he added.
Earlier this month, President Ruto proposed a parliamentary committee to handle the opposition's demands on the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
However, Raila, in a statement on Tuesday, said a parliamentary process proposed by Ruto may not serve its intended purpose.
According to Raila, the Azimio leadership wants to have a conversation at the national level through a process akin to the 2008 National Accord, which was brokered by Koffi Annan following the disputed 2007 presidential election results.
President Ruto has, however, remained firm and said that the opposition's demands can only be addressed by a bipartisan team in Parliament.
Ruto said he won't entertain any attempts by the opposition to bargain for cooperation, coalition or handshake government witnessed in previous administrations of Presidents Daniel Arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta.
Going further, Duale who is the former Garissa Township MP, noted it was about time that Kenyans stand up and reject people who want to get to power using the backdoor.
He emphasized that power-sharing culture by people who lost elections should not be entertained.
“I think the time has come for the people of Kenya to stand up and say we are tired of these shenanigans. Elections come and go,” Duale added.
Taking a jab at Raila, the CS condemned what he termed as Raila’s thirst for power, as he attempted to enter government every time he lost an election
“If the culture is every time you lose fairly and squarely, you say it’s a must you share power then the whole essence of elections will lose meaning. Why do you go for elections then?" Duale posed.
Duale added that people go for elections to get power and if one loses, they become an opposition and prepare themselves for the next elections