Proposals on IEBC will not work, Jubilee MPs say

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and some Jubilee leaders have criticised some recommendations being made by CORD on electoral reforms.

The leaders said some of the recommendations, among them the declaration of presidential results at the polling stations and appointment of part-time electoral officials, were impractical and unconstitutional.

They told the Opposition to respect the Constitution, adding that any amendments and approvals must be in the interests of Kenyans, not a few individuals.

They said such recommendations would be a recipe for violence after elections and urged the Opposition to revise them.

The leaders spoke at a funds drive in Ndaragwa trading centre in Nyandarua North sub-county organised by area MP Waweru Nderitu. The fundraiser was in aid of buying water pipes for the local community.

Those who accompanied Mr Muturi were MPs David Njuguna (Ol-Kalou), Samwel Gichigi (Kipipiri), Peter Githinji (Mathira), JM Waiganjo (Ol Joro Orok) and Muriuki Njagagua (Siakago).

The lawmakers said CORD had sensed defeat and was now looking for ways to block the 2017 General Election.

Polling stations

"These amendments they are calling for are not justifiable. How can we announce the presidential election results at polling stations? This would cause violence in some parts of the country. The Opposition should re-evaluate these issues," said Mr Waiganjo, who also wondered why the Opposition kept moving the goalposts instead of addressing the real issues with soberness.

Speaker Muturi called for respect of independent institutions, saying taking to the streets or calling for mass action would not help solve critical issues being raised by some leaders.

He criticised CORD for disregarding the National Assembly on claims that some recommendations viewed as hurtful to the Government would be thrown out due to the tyranny of numbers phenomenon.

Muturi said it was prudent to respect the institution mandated to make laws and also respect the outcome of any given contest.

Mr Gichigi said some demands by the Opposition were uncalled for. He said the register could not be re-done before next next year's August General Election because of the narrow time frame.

Mr Nderitu urged Kenyans to scrutinise all candidates seeking various elective posts to ensure that they elected credible leaders.