IEBC tells Raila to prove allegations

By FELIX OLICK

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has asked CORD leader Raila Odinga to substantiate his claims that the Jubilee leadership used the military to rig last year’s presidential election or withdraw the statement and apologise.

In a strongly-worded statement, the Isaac Hassan-led team dismissed Raila’s claims as inflammatory and unsubstantiated. IEBC said the allegations “could ferment hate and distrust among voters”.

 “Issuing falsehood must be deterred by all means within the law. Therefore, we challenge Raila Odinga to substantiate his claim or withdraw and apologise,” the Commission said in a statement sent to newsrooms.

Speaking in his Kisumu home turf over the weekend, the former Prime Minister alleged that President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto used the military to eject CORD supporters from the Bomas of Kenya, which was the national tallying centre, to manipulate the vote.

 “This is a creative incitement and an extremely partisan posture that deliberately overlooks facts in order to continuously project the conduct of the 2013 general elections in negative light,” said IEBC’s Communication and Corporate Manager Tabitha Mutemi.

“Simply put, it is malicious, disparaging and utter lies that the military were in Bomas for whatever purpose and neither did IEBC aid any electoral malpractice. The commission only engaged Kenya Police and their GSU counterparts to provide security for everyone at the Bomas of Kenya.”

The commission wondered why the former PM did not raise the matter during the election petition at the Supreme Court. According to the commission, the “insignificant” number of successful election petitions served to prove that the polls were fair.

“A total of 1,881 elective positions were contested countrywide with only less than 1% successful petitions,” IEBC noted

In its ruling, the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Willy Mutunga dismissed Raila’s petition challenging the election of Uhuru and Ruto.