Stop intimidating electoral commission, MPs tell Raila

More than 10 Jubilee lawmakers have told opposition leader Raila Odinga “to stop intimidating the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission”.

They said claims by the Cord leader and his supporters that the IEBC would rig polls showed he had sensed defeat.

The leaders included Garissa Senator Yusuf Haji, Aden Duale (National Assembly majority leader) and Barre Shill (Fafi MP).

Others were Beatrice Elachi (nominated senator), Rachel Shebesh (Nairobi woman rep), Ali Wario (Bura MP), Mohammed Shidiye (Lagdera MP), Abdiaziz Ali Farah (Mandera East MP), Fatuma Dullo (nominated senator), Sonia Birdi (nominated MP), Muhamud Mohammed (nominated MP) and Abdi Noor (nominated MP).

The leaders, who spoke at a function presided over by Deputy President William Ruto in Garissa Town on Monday, said it was surprising that Mr Odinga was attacking the IEBC yet he took part in talks to reform it.

UNDERMINED PREPARATIONS

They said the threat undermined preparations for elections, accusing the opposition of wanting to cause chaos.

Mr Ruto asked politicians to play their role in ensuring the 2017 elections are free, fair and peaceful. He told leaders to desist from inciting the public.
The lawmakers said the Cord leader could not be a presidential candidate and be in charge of the IEBC.

“A bad carpenter blames his tools and we know he is trying everything he can to ensure that violence occurs during the elections but that will not be allowed,” Mr Shill said.

Ms Shebesh said the opposition leader should tell Kenyans “what he wants because it seems he does not even trust his lieutenants.

“Tell us what you are hiding under the table because we negotiated with your people on reforming the commission,” she said.