Nasa principals Raila Odinga and Musalia Mudavadi addressing the media
outside Anniversary Towers after a meeting with IEBC chairman Wafula
Chebukati on October 19, 2017. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA
GROUP
Nasa leader Raila Odinga on Thursday said he
was willing to “reconsider” his stand on participating in next week’s
fresh presidential elections, if his demands are met.
However, he described as a vindication of the Nasa cause, the resignation of Dr Roselyn Akombe from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and her revelation of deep divisions in the polls body.
“If
proper consultations are done and if proper reforms are carried out,
and those fears that we raised are addressed, then we will reconsider,”
Mr Odinga said.
“But as it stands right now, our position is (as) we announced it yesterday,” he stated.
Mr Odinga was speaking outside Anniversary Towers after a 40-minute meeting with IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati.
RESIGNATION
The National Super Alliance (Nasa) leader said
that after commissioner Akombe’s resignation, and a statement by Mr
Chebukati to the effect that he could not guarantee a credible election,
it was clear that the commission needed extensive reforms.
“That
(the Dr Akombe resignation and Mr Chebukati’s statements) basically
confirmed our fears, and our reasons for pulling out of this race. It is
now clear to anybody that the environment does not exist for a free and
fair election,” Mr Odinga, who was accompanied by Nasa co-principal
Musalia Mudavadi, said.
He
added: “There are things happening over which the chairman has no
control over. So we said instead of wasting money and going to a
charade, we will rather pull out.”
Mr
Odinga rubbished comments by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy
William Ruto that he said suggested he was begging for a meeting.
“You
know what the Jubilee people said yesterday. Under those circumstances,
is it still proper to meet with Kenyatta? It is made to look as if I am
begging . . .,” Mr Odinga said.
MEETING
Even if he were to talk with President Kenyatta, he said, the current environment did not allow it.
“I
do not know how many times I need to tell them (that I do not want a
nusu mkate (coalition government). I do not want to appear as if I am
going to beg. I do not need anything from the so-called William Ruto,”
he said.
Thursday’s meeting was
called by Mr Chebukati a day after he issued a nine-page statement where
he gave conditions for his continued stay at the helm of the
commission.
The self-effacing
chairman asked the political class to keep off the IEBC and stop
intimidating its employees, warning that he will not hesitate to crack
the whip against them. He asked IEBC staff he said had been adversely
mentioned to step aside.
JOINT MEETING
Thursday’s
meeting, Mr Chebukati said, will be followed by another one he plans to
have with President Kenyatta. Earlier yesterday, the commission had
cancelled a planned joint meeting with the eight presidential candidates
at Serena Hotel, with a communication saying it was awaiting for a
mutually agreed date.
“He has told us that he will meet President Kenyatta on Monday, before he can make a decision,” said Mr Odinga.
The
National Super Alliance has demanded the resignation of IEBC chief
executive Ezra Chiloba, commissioners Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu, and
nine senior staff, the change of the ballot paper printer and the
elections technology provider before the fresh poll ordered by the
Supreme Court when it annulled President Kenyatta’s August 8 win.
Mr Mudavadi challenged Mr Chebukati and Dr Akombe to name the people they said had been interfering with the commission.
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