America, European Union warn leaders to keep off IEBC

American ambassador to kenya Robert Godec flanked by European Union deputy head of delegation Bruno Pozzi(left) and other ambassadors briefs the media after a meeting with IEBC commissioners at the Bomas of Kenya on 2nd September 2017 [PHOTO:DAVID GICHURU/STANDARD]

The United States and the European Union have cautioned rivals Jubilee and the National Super Alliance (NASA) against placing what it termed as unreasonable demands to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

In separate statements on Friday, they asked politicians to avoid issuing threats to boycott the repeat presidential election and changing the election regulations.

The US expressed concerns over deteriorating political environment. “We are closely monitoring Kenya’s electoral process and what politicians are saying and doing,” stated US in the statement.

Early this week, Siaya Senator James Orengo told journalists that they have no interest of traveling to the US in reaction to threats of travel bans by US ambassador.

He asked the US to concentrate on rebuilding the storm ravaged State of Purto Rico and assisting victims of a gun attack in Las Vegas, while the Jubilee side led by Aden Duale rejected an offer by UNDP to help print ballot papers.

The US Government said though they supported the freedom of speech, they considered attacks made by political players on IEBC as “baseless and unreasonable.”

Unreasonable demands

Meanwhile, the EU warned that actions and declarations against the IEBC could have an adverse effect on the commission’s ability to fulfill its constitutional mandate.

“Unreasonable demands, threats of boycott or attempts to change electoral regulation are to be avoided,” stated the statement by EU. “Unreasonable demands, threats of boycott or attempts to change electoral regulation are to be avoided.”

NASA has cautioned that there will be no election on October 26 unless the commission meets what it has termed as irreducible minimums.

They have called for street protests to push for the removal of the IEBC Chief Executive Officer Ezra Chiloba among other officials.

The international community also cautioned Jubilee against the push for amendments of election laws.

“Changing electoral laws without broad agreement just prior to a poll is not consistent with international best practice, increases political tension, and undermines public perceptions of the integrity of the electoral process,” said the US.