Kimemia demands apology from Raila over rigging claims

By ALPHONCE SHIUNDU

Kenya: Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Kimemia has lashed out at CORD leader Raila Odinga over his remarks that the military rigged in President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto in the March 4, 2013 polls.

Kimemia, a powerful figure in the former government of President Kibaki, and still a powerbroker in the current government, more so within the Civil Service, told Raila to stop “inciting Kenyans through his creative, inflammatory and false allegations.”

In a brief to newsrooms, Kimemia said the military was “never used in any polling station” all over the country. He said the only time the military was used was when it was sent to secure the country’s borders against the Somali militant group –Al Shabaab.

"We therefore ask the Mr Odinga to commence respect for institutions. This is the time to strengthen professionalism and not demonise institutions, especially now that we have a new Constitution in place. Good leadership strives to consolidate dynamic ethical institutions now and for posterity," said Kimemia.

Kimemia signed the brief to newsrooms on behalf of the National Security Advisory Committee meaning that it came with the full blessings and authority of all the security bosses in the country. Kimemia is the chairman of the National Security Advisory Committee.

The committee wants an immediate apology from the CORD leader.

The Secretary to the Cabinet, whose duty was to midwife the transition from the then Kibaki administration to the new administration of President Kenyatta insisted that the polls were free and credible, because, the results announced at the polling station in the constituencies, was the same with what was read out at the Bomas of Kenya.

He said results were announced in the presence of party agents.

He added: "We also urge Mr Odinga to desist from inciting Kenyans over his democratic loss and disillusionment. The March 4 General Election was one of the most peaceful and competitive election ever carried out in the history of Kenya and we should celebrate this moment instead of issuing inflammatory comments that may destabilize the peace that we enjoy now."

The NSAC’s rebuttal came just a day after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission told Raila to withdraw the claim and apologise to the commission and to the military.

Raila had insisted that his party’s agents were kicked out of the tallying centre at the Bomas of Kenya during the tallying process.

CORD believes that it did not lose the polls in a fair contest, especially, following the night-time breakdown of the electronic tallying, and the long wait for the results and the kicking out of its agents, save for the two chief agents.

The IEBC and the Jubilee coalition on the other hand, believe that the contest was free, fair and credible, because the results tally with what the observer missions in the country put out. They also take comfort in the fact that the Supreme Court upheld the election of President Kenyatta and his deputy, as it threw out Raila’s petition.

The IEBC has also flaunted the election results in the by-elections, which for most of them, had those who had been declared winners –the latest being Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula—clinching back their seats.

According to the chairman, because, the results did not change, it appears the wish of the people prevailed in the polls.