Kenya’s electoral commission chairman Wafula Chebukati has stated that he doubts that the upcoming October 26 re-run of presidential poll would be credible and fair.
On Wednesday Chebukati said the commission he chairs sis sharply divided commission on political party lines resulting in all his proposed reforms being rejected by other commissioners.
Mr Chebukati’s comments follow the resignation of a top election official, from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Wednesday.
Dr. Roselyn Akombe who is also a Commissioner at the commission made the announcement of her recognition in a statement after fleeing the country to New York in the United States of America.
In her statement ahead of the October 26 re-run presidential poll, Dr Akombe said she had doubts the repeat poll will be credible and fair.
“The commission in its current state can surely not guarantee a credible election on October 26. I do not want to be party to such a mockery to electoral integrity,” she said.
Mr. Chibukati described as grave the level of resistance he is facing in reforming the commission.
“Under such conditions, it is difficult to guarantee free, fair and credible elections. I am convinced that without critical changes in key secretariat staff, we may not have a free, fair and credible election. I ask the staff who have been adversely mentioned to step aside and allow the project team to function without interference,” he said.
The election commission chief further said that he knows “there are elements who would love nothing more than to hear me announce my resignation at this point. In reality, that will be the easier thing to do, but we all have to put Kenya first and that is why I am determined to make this commission work.”
Mr Chebukati is hoping to meet all the presidential candidates to let peace prevail in Kenya and help in holding credible election, but the country’s President, Uhuru Kenyatta has already announced he would not partake in such a meeting.
Source: Africafeeds.com
