Elders concerned over anti-IEBC demos, call for dialogue

National Council of Elders chairman Phares Rutere (left) and secretary Ahmed Set converse at a press briefing in Isiolo on May 17, 2016. The elders said they were ready to bring the government and the Opposition together to resolve the stalemate over the IEBC. PHOTO | VIVIAN JEBET | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  VIVIAN JEBET

What you need to know:

  • The elders were speaking Tuesday at the Al-Falah Islamic Centre in Isiolo on the Opposition-led protests against the IEBC.
  • The elders urged the government to block “criminals” from vying for political seats in the next general elections.
  • The council’s secretary Ahmed Set said a clear solution should be reached to ensure that the country has free, fair and peaceful elections in 2017.
  • Mr Rutere said the elders were ready to bring the government and the Opposition together to resolve the stalemate.

The National Council of Elders says the demonstrations against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) are undermining the country’s security and economy and have called for a dialogue between the government and the Opposition.

The council, representing the Somali, Meru, Borana and Turkana communities, has asked elders from all 47 counties to spearhead cohesion.

The elders were speaking Tuesday at the Al-Falah Islamic Centre in Isiolo on the Opposition-led protests against the IEBC.

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Chairman Phares Rutere expressed concerns that the protests were raising political temperatures in the country.

The elders also condemned the excessive force used by police during Monday’s protests, saying it would not resolve the raging debate on the future of the electoral body.

Mr Rutere, also the Njuri Ncheke secretary-general, said the government and the Opposition should start talks so as to tone down the charged political atmosphere in the country that is hurting the economy.

MUGGING INNOCENT KENYANS

He noted that the protesters were mugging and destroying the property of innocent Kenyans.

The elders called on protesters to conduct peaceful and non-destructive demonstrations instead of engaging in looting and hooliganism.

Mr Rutere said the elders were ready to bring the government and the Opposition together to resolve the stalemate.

“As elders, we cannot watch the economy of the country sink.

“Business people have been forced to shut down their premises during protests for fear of looting.

“Some are also counting losses since their properties have been destroyed by protesters,” said the council’s chairman.

The elders urged the government to block “criminals” from vying for political seats in the next general elections.

“We want the cleanest people to vie in 2017. Those convicted of fraud or dismissed from service should not be allowed to contest,” said Mr Rutere.

The council’s secretary Ahmed Set said a clear solution should be reached to ensure that the country has free, fair and peaceful elections in 2017.

“We do not want to shed blood in our country like what we went through in 2007,” added Mr Set.

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