Leave IEBC out of your campaigns, CORD leader Raila Odinga told

Deputy President William Ruto (left) in a discussion with the National Chairman for the Nurses Association of Kenya Mr Jeremiah Maina during the 56th Annual National Nurses Scientific Conference held at AIC Church in Eldoret

Deputy President William Ruto has cautioned CORD leader Raila Odinga against inciting Kenyans by calling for the electoral commission's disbandment, saying his reasons were flimsy.

The DP said Raila's remarks concerning the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on his national campaigns for the Okoa Kenya referendum were mere allegations portraying the team in a bad light.

"My brother at the Opposition's helm should stop targeting the commission on allegations it botched last year's elections. He should instead seek the presidency via the will of the people who vote all leaders into power," he said.

Speaking during stop-overs in Eldoret after opening the 56th Annual Scientific Conference of the National Nurses Association of Kenya, Mr Ruto said IEBC should be allowed time to exercise its mandate as it had previously done so professionally and was able to oversee other elections.

"Having the IEBC disbandment agenda in his national campaigns for a referendum is uncalled for. The commission cannot be blamed for his failure to clinch the presidency. He should focus on real issues that affect the well-being of Kenyans if indeed his plebiscite push is genuine," he added.

During their rallies, the CORD leadership has criticised IEBC's competence and objectivity, and has threatened to boycott the next General Elections if the electoral body is not disbanded and replaced with a "neutral commission".

In a recent Okoa Kenya rally in Kilifi County, Raila pointed out that his call for IEBC's disbandment was based on its performance in last year's General Election, which he termed unsuccessful and subjective.

Ruto asked Raila to re-assess himself and woo voters to get him into power during the next elections instead of criticising IEBC.