Jubilee MPs fault envoys over electoral laws comment

Robert Godec flanked by European Union Deputy Head of Delegation Bruno Pozzi (left) and other ambassadors briefs the media at the Bomas of Kenya on 2nd SEPTEMBER 2017 PHOTO DAVID GICHURU STANDARD

Eight Jubilee legislators have faulted foreign envoys for criticising the party’s push to amend election laws.

On Monday, the envoys led by US ambassador Robert Godec said the proposed changes went against the principle of best practices.

The envoy said the review would place a burden on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to make requisite adjustments in their regulations to accommodate the changes made at a short notice.

But the legislators defended changes to the law, saying they had been necessitated by the “extra-ordinary circumstances” facing the country.

The MPs said the envoys must appreciate the situation that Kenya finds itself, arguing that none of the countries they represent had experienced an invalidation of the presidential election to be qualified to offer what they termed as best practices.

Led by Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, the leaders said there was nothing sinister behind the proposed changes.

“We doubt they (envoys) have a measure of the best practice they would want us to emulate, given that none of their countries has ever been in a position where they had a presidential election invalidated. Kenya’s Parliament can only set the precedent on this front for other democracies,” Mr Wambugu said.

Others at the press briefing at Parliament were MPs James Mwangi (Tetu), Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Patrick Mariru (Laikipia West), Peter Kihara (Mathioya), Anthony Kiai (Mukurweini) and Kirinyaga Woman Representative Purity Ngirici.

The MPs claimed the National Super Alliance (NASA), which has opposed the changes, had sought several amendments through numerous court cases just before the annulled August 8 presidential poll.

The legislators said the amendments were informed by the decision by the Supreme Court, including threats by Chief Justice David Maraga that the Court would nullify the election again if irregularities made in the August polls were repeated.

“These are serious threats; serious enough to send the country’s legislative organ to act and run away from the consequences. That is what Jubilee is doing and the changes must be viewed from a positive prism. We can only ask NASA legislators to come to the legislating table,” they said.

They said it would be irresponsible of any Parliament not to seal holes identified in the petition judgement in the light of threats.