Cofek tells IEBC election will divide the country

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati and CEO Ezra Chiloba

Pressure is mounting on the electoral agency to postpone the October 26 repeat presidential election.

Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek) wants electoral commission Chairman Wafula Chebukati to delay the elections to a later date that will be agreeable by all participating candidates.

In an interview on Tuesday, Cofek Secretary General Stephen Mutoro said the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)should strive to unite the country other than proceed with an election that will divide the country.

“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. We rarely comment on matters politics. But when such political processes and decisions directly affect consumers, we cannot keep quiet any longer,” Mr Mutoro said.

The Cofek boss added that the withdrawal of NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga and threats that the elections may not be held in NASA perceived strongholds shows Chebukati should take a bold move and postpone the elections.

 “The IEBC has been cagey with implications of the passed Election (Amendment) Bill –passed by Jubilee MPs which is awaiting President Kenyatta’s assent. IEBC has not indicated if regulations to implement the new laws will be in place by October 26 and this is something to worry about,” he said.

He said the ongoing anti IEBC protests and killings, especially in Nyanza region are polarising the country.

 "The timing is just not right. IEBC should delay the elections and broker truce between Uhuru and Raila before it subjects Kenyans to other elections,” said Mutoro.

He advised Chebukati to petition the Supreme Court to consider delaying the election and install Uhuru as a caretaker President so that there is no vacuum.

Mutoro also urged Uhuru and Raila to engage in meaningful dialogue that is not pegged on power-sharing but agree on irreducible minimums as arbitrated by IEBC.