President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged Kenyans to give IEBC the space to operate as we head towards the general election. In his State address in Eldoret, President Kenyatta said the electoral body needs the freedom to prove their credibility, “We must not be chipping at its body with constant negative rhetoric that undermines its credibility in the court of public opinion,” said President Kenyatta.
He said IEBC shouldn’t be harried by politicians or marred by partisan political warfare that taints their foundation, adding that they need to be given not only the tools to carry out their duties, but also the respect and confidence to enable them to relay the right information to politicians.
President Kenyatta reiterated that only IEBC are allowed to tally and announce results, “In our constitution, they alone are allowed to tally and announce results on behalf of people whom they’ve been appointed to represent,” he said, “If politicians aren’t satisfied with their verdict then the Constitution has provided the option through a petition in court.”
He said that any attack on IEBC is an attack upon an important pillar, adding that they are vital to democracy and any doubts must be dispelled. He noted that there has been a wilful creation of doubt designed to taint the body’s credibility instead of efforts to dispel doubts directed towards the electoral body.
Moreover, the President said that he is willing to concede defeat if he is trounced in the general elections, “If you the people tell me on August 8th that you want fresh leadership I’ll humbly step aside and ensure a respectful and peaceful transition of power. You may recall in 2002 when I lost the elections I conceded even before the vote count was completed,” he said.
He urged Kenyans to maintain peace during the general elections, “Let this election be the most transparent, respected and proudest that Kenya has ever seen, because that’s the least that you all deserve,” he said.