MPs allied to President Uhuru’s Jubilee Party have criticized the move by foreign envoys to oppose the proposed amendments on elections laws.
The MPs defended the amendments, saying they were necessitated by the “extra ordinary’’ situation the country is in following Supreme Court’s decision to nullify the presidential election.
They argued that the proposed changes were being done legally and within the constitutional provisions, dismissing claims that they would polarize the country.
Addressing the media on Tuesday at Parliament Buildings, the MPs led by James Mwangi (Tetu), John Kiarie (Dagoretti South), Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Patrick Mariru (Laikipia West), Peter Kihara (Mathioya), Anthony Kiai (Mukurweni), Ngunjuri Wambugu (Nyeri Town), Purity Ngiriki (Kirinyaga) said the opposition was the one polarizing the country by calling for anti-IEBC protests.
They questioned why the diplomats failed to raise alarm when National Super Alliance lodged several court cases against the electoral commission, even days to election.
“We would have been happy for the distinguished diplomats to note that the international best practices do not have to subscribe to Nasa’s politics of provocation and threat,” he added.
On Monday, the envoys led by US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec called on Jubilee to shelve the amendments as they were not im line with international practice.
“It is international best practice not to make changes to electoral laws without broad political agreement. If everyone were to agree on changes that needed to be made, that would be fine but at the moment, we would encourage everyone to look at international best practice and work together to bring the election and make it free, fair and credible and peaceful and hold it in the constitutional manner,” said Godec.
The further argued that the Election Laws Amendment Bill would put Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission at risk as far as conducting a better repeat election within the mandated 60-day timeline is concerned.
The MPs told the envoys to give Kenya space and time to implement its Constitution.
“We also want to point out that the countries whose envoys are imploring on us to observe best practices have never had an experience of invalidated presidential election. We doubt they have a measure of the best practice they would want us to emulate from them on this front,” Wambugu said.
Some of the envoys need to…
Some of the envoys need to look at how parliament/Congress in their own countries function. They have “the elephant in the room” that they are not addressing: The Brexit in the UK and the Russian interference in the US elections is now well documented. Gerrymandering: “manipulate the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) so as to favor one party or class” is prevalent in the US. The US Ambassador has lost credibility to advice Kenyans on elections don’t and dos. NASA and the envoys need to honor the court as Uhuru did, and let IEBC and parliament do their jobs.
Some of the envoys need to…
Some of the envoys need to look at how parliament/Congress in their own countries function. They have an elephant in the room that they are not addressing: The Brexit in the UK and the Russian interference in the US elections is now well documented. Gerrymandering: “manipulate the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) so as to favor one party or class” is prevalent in the US. The US Ambassador has lost credibility to advice Kenyans on elections don’t and dos. NASA and the envoys need to honor the court as Uhuru did, and let IEBC and parliament do their jobs.
Sisi WaNyeri tunasema: Rais…
Sisi WaNyeri tunasema: Rais MTUME Raila Odinga TOSHA!
Meanwhile: “Nyeri MCA seeks…
Meanwhile: “Nyeri MCA seeks protection from miniskirts.” No Wonder Wanaume wa Nyeri huchapwa VI.BO.KO. na Wanawake Zao. Hah! Lol!!!
Perhaps thats what the so…
Perhaps thats what the so called co-principals need to come back to their senses. Alafu wakatwe ile ka-foreskin. See, complete overhaul in a minute.