IEBC declares it will set next elections date
The electoral commission has pulled the rug from under the feet of President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga and declared it will soon set the General Election date.
“IEBC is currently consulting within and outside the commission to announce the date of the General Election,” the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairman, Mr Isaack Hassan, said on Thursday at a breakfast meeting to discuss the next elections.
He continued: “It is very clear according to the January 15 ruling by the Constitutional Court that we should set the date for the General Election.”
Commission sources who asked not to be named as they are not allowed to comment on the issue, said the IEBC had sought an appointment with the two principals today to discuss the matter.
Mr Hassan said that among others, consultation with Justice minister Mutula Kilonzo, who has challenged those opposed to a 2013 election date to move to court, have been ongoing.
He, however, said that subsequent general elections would be held as provided for by the Constitution that states that they be held on the second Tuesday of August every fifth year.
President Kibaki has said the elections would be held next year although he did not specify the exact date.
Mr Odinga has said he prefers that the polls be held in December this year. (READ: Polls date the new frontier for conflict between principals)
The Cabinet had earlier indicated it backed the December elections before changing to say that it would abide by the court’s advisory that gave two scenarios with the first being that Parliament should run its entire term until January 15, 2013, and election held 60 days thereafter.
The second is that the two principals end the coalition government to pave the way for the IEBC to announce the election date.
Misinterpret court ruling
But Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua accused the Cabinet “of deliberately misinterpreting the court ruling on the election date to illegally extend its stay in office.”
At the same time, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has told off Western countries on their push on Kenya to announce the election date.
He said the West should not use the poll date issue to scare away potential investors.
