KMPDU, Kuppet want poll postponed over security fears
KMPDU Secretary-General Ouma Oluga during a delegates' conference on July 1, 2017. KMPDU has joined other trade unions in asking IEBC to call off the October 26 poll. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The group wants President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga to commit to dialogue and de-escalate the rising tension in the country.
- They said putting off the October 26 will not result in a constitutional crisis.
- According to the group, the country is in a deepening crisis with communities mobilising ethnic militias and vernacular stations calling on their listeners to prepare for war.
A group of trade unions and civil society organisations want the October 26 poll to be called off.
In a press briefing on Monday, Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) chairman Ouma Oluga said the country was bleeding and there was evidence of communities arming themselves for war
"We fear for the lives and safety of election staff who will manage the polling stations and voters who may turn up, should the election go ahead," he said.
The group has also asked IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati to seek the guidance of the Supreme Court to enable the commission prepare a free and fair election at a later date.
SECURITY OFFICERS
They said printing of ballot papers should not allow the country to go into a manipulated election.
The group, under the umbrella "We the people" accused security officers deployed to monitor anti-IEBC demonstrations of brutality which resulted in many deaths and injuries
They asked security forces to uphold the Constitution when doing their work.
They said putting off the October 26 will not result in a constitutional crisis.
ELECTION
Moses Mbora, an official at the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Nairobi branch, said it was impossible for IEBC to deliver a free, fair and credible election on Thursday.
The group wants President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga to commit to dialogue and de-escalate the rising tension in the country.
They have also asked President Kenyatta to refrain from assenting to and gazetting the Election Laws Amendment Bill, 2017.
“All political actors must commit not to mobilise their supporters for violence,” said human rights lawyer Njonjo Mue
CRISIS
According to the group, the country is in a deep crisis with communities mobilising ethnic militias and vernacular stations calling on their listeners to prepare for war.
They singled out Kameme FM as one of the vernacular stations that has allegedly aired such calls.
The group also accused Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i of allegedly mobilising the “Chinkoro” in Kisii County.
Further, they termed wearing of military garments at political rallies as unacceptable.
Women allied to Jubilee Party have been spotted in various political rallies in militia garments, a move that has been met with a lot of criticism from the opposition side.
“This visual intimidation and show of might will not bring good tidings to the people,” said Dr Oluga.
