Stop inciting Kenyans, President warns Raila over IEBC protests

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday criticised Cord leader Raila Odinga, accusing him of inciting his supporters to take to the street to push for the removal of electoral commissioners.

The President described Mr Odinga’s tactics as “old fashioned politics” that had no place in modern Kenya.

He was speaking in Nyamira two days after Mr Odinga was tear-gassed by riot police as he and Senator Moses Wetang’ula led protesters in storming the headquarters of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission on Monday. Their attempts to storm the offices and eject the commissioners were thwarted after police repulsed them.

In a veiled reference to the Cord leaders, Mr Kenyatta on Wednesday said that those who want to eject the commissioners should “follow the Constitution” instead of calling for countrywide protests.

“The law is very clear. Take a petition to Parliament and if it is passed, the commissioners will surely go,” said the President when he toured Nyamira.

“There no point of resorting to violence and running to the streets. This is not the way to build the country. Follow the Constitution…we all passed it remember? We should all respect it. I too follow the law in my dealings.”

ODINGA PROTEST PLANS

He was reacting to Mr Odinga’s threat that he will mobilise Kenyans every Tuesday to storm IEBC officers until they force the nine commissioners, including Chairman Issack Hassan, out of office.

Cord leaders in Migori County have said they will be storming the IEBC office in the region to press for the removal of commissioners.

On Tuesday, Mr Odinga said he will on Tuesday mobilise protesters to occupy 16 IEBC offices in major towns across the country.

“On Tuesday, we call upon all Kenyans to assemble at the Anniversary Towers for a date with the IEBC. Subsequently, we shall assemble at the Anniversary Towers every Monday,” Mr Odinga said. 

On Wednesday, President Kenyatta, while addressing a gathering, turned to Kitutu Masaba MP Timothy Bosire and asked him to go and tell his leader (Mr Odinga) “to go easy on the matter”.

He said leaders should follow the law and not go through shortcuts.

According to the Constitution, commissioners can only be removed from office for a serious violation of the Constitution, including a contravention of Chapter Six on leadership and integrity.

They can also be removed if they are accused of gross misconduct or for physical or mental incapacity to perform the functions of their office.  Incompetence or bankruptcy can also be grounds for removal.

On Wednesday, the President accused Opposition leaders of using innocent Kenyans to achieve their agenda.

“Let’s not punish innocent people by taking them to the streets where they are likely to be tear-gassed by police for no reason at all,” he said.

His sentiments were echoed by Deputy President William Ruto who said the country will not be governed by street protests. 

Mr Ruto said Kenyans should be united because no one would want to witness a repeat of the 2007/8 post-election violence.

“All we want is peace. Kenyans must now be given an opportunity to build their country… (We do not want) mass action or any form of violence,” he said.

Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto were in Nyamira to commission the Nyamira Level Five Hospital. They were accompanied by several Cabinet Secretaries, including Dr Cleopa Mailu, who is in charge of health.

The leaders later on commissioned the Ekerubo Gieta Technical Training Institute and launched the 14km Mosobeti-Kebirigo road.

The President is today expected to tour Kisii County.