Kenya's opposition leader faults date for presidential revote

Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday faulted the electoral body, the Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC), for setting October 17 as the date for a re-run of presidential elections following nullification of the previous polls by the supreme court. Odinga said his National Super Alliance (NASA) and other stakeholders were never consulted over the new date. “There will be no election on October 17 unless the specific demands herein are honored,” Odinga told journalists in Nairobi. “We demand nothing less than a fully transparent and accountable electoral process.” “IEBC seems anxious to reach an outcome it desires,” he said. “We condemn the fact that the IEBC did not consult the parties involved before making a determination on the date of the said election but seemed to be taking instructions from Fred Matiang’i,” he said, referring to the education cabinet secretary. Matiang’i is also the current acting Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Internal Security and Coordination of National Government in Kenya after the sudden demise of Gen Joseph Kasaine Ole Nkaissery. The 72-year-old opposition leader, who successfully petitioned the Supreme Court to annul the re-election of incumbent president Uhuru Kenyatta, said the electoral commission had not complied with the court order of conducting “free, fair and verifiable elections.” “Given the special circumstances of the fresh elections, we believe that the IEBC should take measures to ensure that the fresh presidential election meets the standards contemplated under Articles 81, 86 and 138 of the Constitution and other relevant provisions of the law,” Odinga said. “It is our view that the date of the fresh election be a product of consultation with concerned parties and not a unilateral decision imposed on the people of Kenya.” The IEBC held its first full meeting on Monday, three days after Kenyatta’s re-election was invalidated by the Supreme Court, and set the new poll date on October 17. Xinhua

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Kenya's opposition leader faults date for presidential revote