Commissioners should get full benefits if they resign, says Musyoka
What you need to know:
- Musyoka said Jubilee has not shown any intention of entering into dialogue with the Cord over the IEBC protests.
- Mr Musyoka said President Kenyatta’s impending tour of Ukambani, was aimed at seeking votes and not to inspect development projects.
- Cord will not accept pushing back of the election date as proposed by the Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi.
Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka says the electoral commissioners should be paid full benefits if they voluntarily resign from their positions.
Mr Musyoka said the commission, as currently constituted, is highly tainted and cannot conduct a credible, free and fair General Election. He asked the commissioners to resign voluntarily.
The Wiper leader said Jubilee has not shown any intention of entering into dialogue with the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) over the IEBC protests. He was apparently referring to President Kenyatta’s stated position that he is ready to give his input over the fate of the commissioners but only through Parliament.
Mr Musyoka said the offer for amnesty and full benefits should only apply to commissioners who were not implicated in the Chicken gate scandal, adding that those involved must pay for their mistakes.
“I want to extend an olive branch; if the commissioners resign, Cord will make sure that they get their dues. They will not be prosecuted as they will have acted like statesmen and women,” he said.
“But for those who were involved in the chicken gate scandal, they must pay for their mistakes,” Mr Musyoka said.
INSPECT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
Mr Musyoka, who was presiding over a harambee in Mbooni constituency, also spoke about President Kenyatta’s impending tour of Ukambani, saying it was clear he was not only coming to the area to inspect development projects, but also to seek votes in the region.
However, he welcomed the President to the region, saying he (Musyoka) will also be making similar tours to Kiambu and Gatundu because Kenya has come of age politically.
“We welcome the President to Ukambani; we are aware he wants to use the visit to hunt for votes. I will be making similar tours to Gatundu, Kiambu and other places,” Mr Musyoka said.
Mr Musyoka said Cord will not accept pushing back of the election date as proposed by the Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi.
He said there is enough time to replace the current IEBC commissioners and for the new commissioners to effectively catch up with IEBC operations and manage the 2017 polls effectively.
“We have one year and three months to the next General Election which will be held on August 8, 2017,” he said.
The Wiper leader said the life of the current Presidency could only be extended through a referendum and thus the Speaker’s assertion is unacceptable.
“An extra day in power for Jubilee is a painful day for this country,” Mr Musyoka said.