Mercy Mwai and Peter Leshan @PeopleDailyKe
The government has warned the Opposition against disrupting the August 8 General Election if the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) fails to withdraw an appeal it has filed in court.
Government Spokesman Eric Kiraithe yesterday said the government will counter any criminal acts designed to disrupt the exercise and told the National Super Alliance (Nasa) to let courts do their work.
In particular, Kiraithe said the government is concerned with Machaklos Senator Jonstone Muthama’s remarks which he said was aimed at inciting Nasa supporters to violence. He claimed the remarks, coming only three months to the election, bear the risk of slowing down IEBC’s momentum in preparations for a free, fair and credible election.
“The first question we want to ask regarding the statement is, who is the senator and his colleagues threatening? Is it the courts, IEBC, the government or the approximately seven million Kenyans who have kicked off the electoral process by participating in the recent party nomination?” Kiraithe asked while addressing a news conference in Nairobi.
Meanwhile, 19 foreign envoys have called on all candidates who will participate in the election to accept results. They urged politicians to respect the Constitution and democratic rules, adding that in cases where disputes arise, they should be addressed through the court system and not through threats or acts of violence and intimidation.
Led by US ambassador Robert Godec, they said, in a joint statement, they have no favoured party or candidate. “This is a decision of Kenyans alone to make,” they said. They asked Kenyans to embrace peace and reject violence, adding that they also support politically neutral law enforcement and administration to protect voters, activists and candidates equally.
They congratulated Kenyans who participated in the party primaries by voting and supporting the poll integrity. “We also welcome the large number of women and young candidates and voters. Together, Kenyans exercised their constitutional rights and gave voice to democracy,” they added.
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