NASA demands on IEBC unrealistic, says Kaimenyi-led forum

Land Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi has accused the National Super Alliance (NASA) leadership of placing unrealistic demands on Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

Prof Kaimenyi in a meeting with members of a development forum said NASA should stop putting obstacles on IEBC as it works overtime to conduct the fresh presidential election on October 26.

Meeting under the aegis of the North Imenti Consultative Forum in Meru town on Monday, Kaimenyi led the leaders on calling for NASA to leave IEBC team alone as it implements the Supreme Court’s order for a fresh poll pitting President Uhuru Kenyatta and NASA’s Raila Odinga.

“As directed by the Supreme Court, the IEBC must be supported to conduct free, fair and credible election as per the Constitution and relevant electoral laws. Persistent expression on the preparedness of IEBC to conduct repeat presidential election by some politicians, undoubtedly affects the image and confidence of IEBC to discharge its mandate. We urge those involved to stop it,” said Kaimenyi, who was flanked by Njuri Ncheke Coulcil of elders Secretary General Phares Ruteere, among others.

The CS said NASA demand on sacking of IEBC officials was not sincere, adding calls for sacking of the body's officials amounted to ‘public lynching’.

“Such calls are unfair to our brothers and sisters who deserve a fair hearing in the event that someone has evidence of them being on the wrong side of the law and the Constitution,” he said.

He added that IEBC has internally recognized mechanisms to deal with errant officers.

“Hence the need for all law abiding citizens to let IEBC do its work. In deed so far, they have demonstrated this by appointing a new team to manage the repeat election and also suspended some individuals who were found to have committed electoral offences during the August 8 election,” Kaimenyi said.

Members of the forum were in agreement that insistence by NASA for IEBC to comply with certain conditions is bound to affect planning for the poll.

“These demands might be interpreted by some people as going against the spirit and the grain of the Supreme Court ruling, directing IEBC to conduct the repeat poll within 60 days from the date of the ruling,” he said.

At the same time Kaimenyi led members of the forum in condemning violence witnessed in NASA demonstrations.

He said though it was the right of people to demonstrate, the participants must do it in a peaceful manner, and not resort to looting, harming others and destroying property.

Kaimenyi said they were working hard to rally the region to come out in even larger numbers to vote for Mr Kenyatta.

He said the fact that the president got 93 per cent of vote in Tharaka Nithi and 83 per cent of Meru votes, showed the region was firmly supporting him.

Kaimenyi said the votes were a form of 'thank you' from residents who were happy with Kenyatta's work to improve lives.

Kenyatta got a total of 645, 109 votes from the two counties.

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