The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has asked Raila Odinga to stop ‘misleading’ Kenyans.
This comes after Odinga’s remarks calling for the resignation of chairperson Wafula Chebukati ahead of Mombasa and Kakamega gubernatorial election.
The Azimio presidential candidate in the August polls wanted Chebukati barred from presiding over the election following an active case in court questioning the credibility of the just concluded polls.
He suggested that IEBC deputy chairperson Juliana Cherera be allowed to preside over the polls.
The Commission wishes to inform the public that the statements made today by Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga with regard to the role of the Chairman in the two Gubernatorial elections scheduled for Monday, August 29, 2022 are misleading
IEBC
“Chebukati’s deputy, Juliana Cherera, should be allowed to preside over the upcoming elections. There’s an active court case against Chebukati, and he should, therefore, disqualify himself from overseeing the polls,” said Raila.
IEBC statement
In a statement on Wednesday through its official page the IEBC accused the Odinga of misleading Kenyans regarding the management of the suspended polls.
“The Commission wishes to inform the public that the statements made today by Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga with regard to the role of the Chairman in the two Gubernatorial elections scheduled for Monday, August 29, 2022 are misleading,” read the statement in part.
Chebukati’s deputy, Juliana Cherera, should be allowed to preside over the upcoming elections. There’s an active court case against Chebukati, and he should, therefore, disqualify himself from overseeing the polls
Raila Odinga
The commission further noted that returning officers charged with conducting the exercise had already been gazetted before the elections were called off.
“Gubernatorial elections are run by gazetted Returning Officers as provided for by the law. For avoidance of doubt, Returning Officers for Mombasa and Kakamega counties are Ibrahim Swalhah Yusuf and Joseph Ayatta, respectively,” it furthered.
In Mombasa ODM’s Nassir will face UDA candidate Hassan Omar as Fernandes Barasa (ODM) battles it out with UDA’s Cleophas Malala in Kakamega gubernatorial race.
The elections are scheduled for Monday, August 29th.
