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President Kenyatta has no powers to disband IEBC, DP Ruto says

The Deputy President says President Uhuru Kenyatta has no powers to disband the electoral body since his, “hands are tied by the Constitution/FILE

The Deputy President says President Uhuru Kenyatta has no powers to disband the electoral body since his, “hands are tied by the Constitution/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 28- Deputy President William Ruto has asked the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy to respect the constitution while calling for reforms within the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission.

The Deputy President says President Uhuru Kenyatta has no powers to disband the electoral body since his, “hands are tied by the Constitution.”

He however says the Government is ready for dialogue, though it has to be through the Constitutional means.

He said Parliament where all Kenyans are represented was the best place to hold talks.

Ruto said religious leaders; the civil society and any other Kenyan can present views to Parliament, which in turn will pass the necessary law(s) on IEBC.

“We have institutions provided for in the Constitution. Let us have consultation, dialogue and discussion based on the framework of the law,” he said.

The Deputy President made the remarks at Kirwara Secondary School, Githanga Secondary School and Kahuhia Girls Secondary respectively in Muranga County on Friday.

He also addressed wananchi in Gatunyu, Muranga town, Githanga trading centre and Kiria-Ini grounds.

Ruto said religious leaders; civil society groups and any other Kenyans who have views on the IEBC will be invited to Parliament to present their views.

He said once the Government and the Opposition have deliberated on the issue and reach at consensus, Parliament will have the opportunity to pass into law before presenting it to the President to assent into law.

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“What has become clear is that Jubilee believes in institutions established under the Constitution. Parliament is an institution recognized by all Kenyans,” he said.

He said leaders should respect the institutions created in the Constitution in solving issues of IEBC.

The Deputy President wondered why the same leaders who participated in the making of the Constitution are now breaking the same laws.

“If the Opposition cannot trust Parliament, Judiciary or Commission of Human Rights, then how can they prove to Kenyans that they are law abiding individuals?” asked Mr. Ruto.
“There is no way the Opposition can have a quarrel with all institutions established in the Constitution,” he added.

He said Opposition leaders were not sincere in their call for dialogue over issues of IEBC saying they have instead sensed defeat in the next General Election.

“The truth is that the Opposition leaders are not sincere on the issues of IEBC because they have a hidden agenda,” he said.

“They have sensed defeat ahead of the next General Election and this is why they are engaging in unnecessary wars with the IEBC.”

The Deputy President assured Kenyans that the Government would ensure a free and fair election next year.

He was accompanied by Senator Kembi Gitura, MPs Humphrey Njuguna (Gatanga), Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete), Esther Gathogo (Ruiru), Njoroge Baiya (Githunguri), Francis Waitutu (Juja), Kanini Kega (Kieni), Kamande Wambugu (Maragwa), Alice Wahome (Kandara), Irungu Kangata (Kiharu), Sabina Chege (Muranga), Jude Jomo (Kiambu town), Alice Nganga (Thika Town) and Governor Mwangi Iria.

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The MPs told the Opposition to follow the law in airing their grievances on the issues of IEBC.

Senator Gitura said, “CORD should not expect to come to the Government through the back door as they did after the disputed 2007 General Election”.

They said it was waste of time and resources for the Opposition to demand for a meeting with President Kenyatta instead of using the Constitutional means to look for solution to the problem.

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