The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has cautioned Kenyans to be weary of actors hellbent to precipitate a constitutional crisis in the country by either boycotting the next month’s presidential polls or disrupting electoral process.
Igad executive Secretary Ambassador Mahboub Maalim such acts would amount to illegitimate change of Kenya’s constitutional order and government.
Instead, Maalim called for support of the constitutionally mandated Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Iebc) as ordered by the Supreme Court after nullifying President Uhuru Kenyatta’s win.
“Igad Urges all actors in Kenya to reject those who seek to interfere with the constitutional order by seeking to disrupt or prevent the court-mandated fresh elections, thus putting in peril democratic change of government and ushering in a crisis from which unscrupulous actors can seek undemocratic change of government.” She said.
While expressing Igad’s confidence of Iebc’s capacity and ability to execute its constitutional mandate to facilitate expression by the Kenyan people of their sovereignty, she said they will keep a close eye on developments to inform all its member states and the African Union.
The Raila Oinga led National Super Alliance (Nasa) has maintained a hardline position calling for electoral reforms and exit of senior Iebc officials despite Supreme Court judgement that indicated they cannot apportion blame to any specific individual terming the claimed bungled elections as institutional failure.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Jubilee brigade have been very categorical that elections will be held as directed by the Supreme Court ruling.
On the other hand, Odinga says no elections will be held on October 26.
“Igad urges and appeals to the people of Kenya, including political parties and their leadership plus all constitutional institutions, to jealously safeguard and protect the mode of transfer of power provided for in the constitution of Kenya, and to avoid all statements, provocations and acts that could lead to unconstitutional change of government.” Part of the statement read.
Meanwhile, the European Union Elections Observation Mission (Eueom) in Kenya Chief Observer Marietje Schaake met with Nasa team last Friday after she jetted back in the country as part of the stakeholders engagement ahead of next month’s elections.
Marietje urged Iebc to engage all stakeholders and political parties to understand their concerns as part of confidence building before the repeat polls.