President Uhuru Kenyatta has issued a stern warning to individuals planning to disrupt Thursday’s poll.
The President said those planning to boycott the repeat presidential election should do so without blocking voters interested in participating in the process.
Uhuru announced there will be a heavy deployment of security officers in all parts of the country to ensure the election proceeds without any interference. Dire consequences The Head of State warned of “dire consequences†to anybody who disrupts the election, which he said must go on as planned and in line with the Supreme Court ruling that ordered fresh elections within 60 days.
“There are some people threatening us. If they don’t want to vote let them stay at home. I want to assure you that there will be no violence but if they try they will know there is a government,†said Uhuru in South B when he made a tour of Nairobi in his last campaign circuit. Earlier in the day, the President met the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Wafula Chebukati at his office in Harambee House and insisted the poll must be held as directed by the Supreme Court.
Uhuru told Chebukati he had no demands but wanted the poll held on October 26. Uhuru said the electorate should be allowed to exercise their democratic right by voting, adding that it will provide an opportunity for Jubilee Party supporters to “reaffirm their win which was annulled†by the Supreme Court.
Yesterday, more ballot papers for Thursday’s poll arrived in Nairobi from Dubai in a consignment of 183 pallets meant for 22 counties.
Addressing Nairobi residents yesterday, Jubilee leaders accused National Super Alliance leader Raila Odinga of trying to push the country into a political crisis. Uhuru questioned why Raila was not interested in the electoral process yet he was the one who went to court to challenge the previous poll’s results.
Deputy President William Ruto said claims by Raila that the polls were already compromised were part of the Opposition’s plan to force themselves in Government. The leaders said there was no room for a coalition government, affirming that the people will decide their President for the next five years at the ballot.
“He talked about OT Morpho, Safaricom, Al Ghurair and (Ezra) Chiloba, We want to tell him that it is the people of Kenya on the ballot,†said Ruto. Political circus The Jubilee luminaries said the country was tired of the unending political circus.
They added the country needed to have the election so as to continue with the party’s development agenda. They further hit out at the Opposition over planned protests to stop the election, saying the street demonstrations were causing destruction.
Uhuru pleaded with the voters to turn out in large numbers on Thursday so that Jubilee can “send Raila homeâ€. The two leaders were accompanied by Governor Mike Sonko, Senator Johnson Sakaja and other Jubilee leaders from Nairobi County.