NAIROBI, August 13 – The Party of National Unity has scoffed at a decision by its coalition counterpart Orange Democratic Movement that it would complain to the Cabinet about the Kamukunji vote-tallying fiasco.
Addressing the press at the party headquarters Wednesday, Cabinet Minister Beth Mugo and Simon Mbugua who was declared winner in Kamukunji, said their opponents should instead seek legal redress.
“It’s high time ODM (Orange Democratic Movement) learnt how to accept facts and numbers when they face defeat instead of peddling lies and issuing threats and abuses. If they are unsatisfied, they should go to court, taking this issue to the Cabinet is not democracy” said Mugo, adding that the top Executive organ should not be involved in party matters.
Mbugua, on his part, argued that he was the clear winner in the poll, even by the time the tallying exercise was annulled by the Electoral Commission late last year.
He cited a “commanding lead” in the 135 ballot boxes that had been tallied, saying the court only directed the ECK to complete tallying of the remaining 22 boxes.
On Tuesday, ODM Secretary General Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o vowed to raise the Kamukunji issue with the Cabinet, alleging that no re-tallying had been done to determine the winner on Monday.
A number of ODM legislators have also called on their leadership to pull out of the Grand Coalition after the debacle.
But Mugo criticised the calls, saying the coalition was formed to re-unite the country following the crisis earlier this year.
She challenged the ODM leaders should work towards making it a success to ensure the country fully heals and reconciles.
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