The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has ordered the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji to investigate Azimio La Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto of Kenya Kwanza over violation of elections laws citing premature campaigns.
Electoral body’s chairman Wafula Chebukati’s move was triggered following a petition to the commission by the Thirdway Alliance party leader lawyer Ekuru Aukot claimimng they are in violation of Section 14 of the Election Offenses Act.
The Act outlaws use of public resources for the purpose of campaigning during an election.
“The two are having an undue advantage over other aspirants by dint of using of public resources thus enjoying a competitive edge,” Aukot said in the latter.
IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati, while responding to Thirdway Alliance acknowledged that it is only Haji’s office that can comprehensively handle the matter and be able to act.
“In addition, pursuant to Section 21 of the Act, it is the Director of Public Prosecution that has power to order investigations and to prosecute offences under the Act.It is in this premise that we wish to escalate this complaint to your office to deal since the same falls under your purview,” Chebukati said.
According to the Commission, the official election campaign period begins on March 30 and lapses on the August 6 three days to the polls, a provision that Thirdway Alliance opines has been violated.
Aukot further called for the immediate resignation of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy Ruto.
He said the duo violated various provisions of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, and the honourable thing to do is to resign.
“Thirdway Alliance Kenya now demands that both of you – Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto- must resign forthwith and pave way for a caretaker government. There are constitutional mechanisms to fill in that void,” he said.
While addressing the President, Aukot claimed that not long after Uhuru was re-elected in October 2017, he not only abdicated his responsibilities of office but also decided to use public resources and powers bestowed on him to plan for succession politics.
Aukot said that events that followed the March 9, 2018 handshake revealed a well pre-planned scheme where Uhuru has been running a project to install his preferred successor as president of Kenya.