Proposed laws will ensure credible polls, says Uhuru

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy William Ruto join Busia leaders who declared their support for Jubilee in a jig during a rally at Busia Youth Polytechnic on Friday. BY IGNATIUS ODANGA

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have defended the move by Jubilee Party to amend the electoral laws.

The President said Jubilee wants to ensure that the repeat presidential election is conducted in a free and fair manner in line with the Supreme Court ruling.

Speaking at Busia Polytechnic yesterday after receiving former Funyula MP Paul Otuoma who joined Jubilee, the President gave an assurance that the amendments would safeguard the democratic rights of voters.

“Changes to the electoral laws will make sure that we have free, fair and credible elections because Returning Officers who mess up with the process will be jailed,” he said.

He appealed to residents of Busia to support his re-election bid.

The President said he was sure that support from Dr Otuoma and former Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba would translate into a large number of votes from the region.

“I have no doubt in my mind that you people of Busia will vote for us so that we can continue with the work we started of improving infrastructure and reviving factories to create jobs for our people,” he said.

The President maintained that he won the last August 8 presidential election and would emerge victorious in the repeat exercise.

“We won the elections but the Supreme Court nullified our victory. But for the sake of peace and stability in the country we accepted to go back to the ballot so that citizens can decide who they want to be their president,” he said.

He criticised the Opposition for giving pre-conditions before they can participate in the elections.

Deputy President William Ruto reiterated that elections would be conducted on October 26. He said the demonstrations by NASA were a recipe for violence.

Dr Otuoma promised to deliver Busia votes to the Jubilee basket to ensure Kenyatta wins the elections.

“I am officially in Jubilee and I will do everything within my means to ensure that President Kenyatta receives a large number of votes from this county,” said Otuoma.

Later the President attended the homecoming of Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka in Webuye, Bungoma County, where he asked locals to support his re-election bid.

Speaking at the event Senate Majority Leader and Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen said NASA was scared of the amendments to the electoral laws.

Mr Murkomen said Jubilee was ready to go for fresh polls and accused NASA of being stumbling block by making demands every day.

“We want to ensure that our elections are conducted properly but they are afraid to come and participate in Parliament,” he said.

Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa expressed his support for the amendments to the election laws. Mr Barasa said officials who bungle elections should be prosecuted.

“I am in support of changes to the election laws as we cannot go for repeat elections because of not stamping the forms that were used to declare results,” he said.

Dr Lusaka said the decision to fold New Ford Kenya to join Jubilee had been productive.

“They mocked us when we closed our small shop and helped build a supermarket but they can now see that the supermarket can accommodate many people,” he said.

Quick to divert

Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary, Eugene Wamalwa said that the defections to Jubilee was an indication that NASA was losing support.

Mr Wamalwa predicted that Opposition would lose in the fresh presidential elections.

“They clearly lost in the previous elections and now we will do the same in the repeat the presidential election,” he said.

Trans Nzoia Governor Patrick Khaemba, who was elected on a Ford Kenya ticket, said he was ready to work with the leadership of the country.

“I am ready to work with whoever is in charge and not isolate myself as I am also a leader in my own way. The will of the people will decide who will be at the helm and I will work with them,” he said.

Mumias East MP Ben Washiali  criticised NASA leader Raila Odinga for calling for demonstrations. He said the protests were not productive even as Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama complained that the NASA leader had had little input in pushing for projects that would help local people.

Today President Kenyatta is scheduled to meet about 20,000 delegates from the four counties in Western Kenya at the Kakamega State Lodge.

He will then hold rallies at Malaha in Mumias East before attending the homecoming of Majority Chief Whip Benjamin Washiali at Shitoto in Mumias East.

Meanwhile, Raila is also expected in the region to canvas for votes.

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said the NASA leader would tour Vihiga County on Saturday and Kakamega Sunday.

“As you are aware the country is headed to a repeat presidential election on October 26. Our candidate will address wananchi on Sunday,” Mr Oparanya said.

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