Raila: IEBC hijacked by Jubilee and foreigners

NASA leader Raila Odinga receives special prayers from Bishop Robert Wafula (right) at Neno Evangelist Church Center in Mombasa County on Sunday, 015th October, 2017.[Maarufu Mohamed,Standard]

National Super Alliance leaders on Sunday alleged that the electoral commission has been hijacked by Jubilee and the international community.

Attending a church service at the Neno Evangelism Centre in Sparki area in Mombasa County, the NASA leader also dismissed remarks attributed to President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto, that he had gone to London to ‘kneel before his masters’.

“I had a hectic time before and during the entire electioneering period and had just sought to go and unwind with my family in London,” Raila told congregants during the service presided over by Bishop Robert Wafula.

Global community

Raila, who jetted into Mombasa ahead of a rally at the Mama Ngina grounds, said he went to the United Kingdom, in part, to explain Jubilee’s alleged propaganda to the global community.

He recounted how during his short stay in London he sought audience with a few groups and policy makers to tell them about the prevailing state of affairs in Kenya.

The former prime minister claimed the global community appears to depend on what the Jubilee regime’s agents and servants tell them, suggesting that foreign missions in Nairobi appear to have acquiesced to the same conspiracy.

On Friday, Raila told a think tank in London that the West appears to have weakened or abandoned support for democracy and good governance in Kenya, preferring to back despotism and so-called stability.

“Uhuru and Ruto have at their disposal ambassadors and high commissioners who relay government propaganda abroad. I had to be present myself to set the record straight,” said Raila.

Annulled polls

Following the declaration of the now annulled August 8 elections, Raila claimed some Western observers and international actors were welded to Jubilee’s agenda.

Bishop Wafula led the congregation in praying for the country and also conducted special prayers for Raila.

He led Raila in reciting a special prayer for repentance.

“Kwa jina la Yesu nakupa maisha yangu, unipe nguvu, unishindanie na unisamehe makosa yangu Baba. Kuanzia leo, unisiache pekee yangu, niwe na wewe. (In the name of Jesus I surrender my life to You, give me strength to overcome and forgive me Lord. From this day, do not forsake me and let me remain in You for ever,” Raila prayed.

The Opposition leader was accompanied by several leaders including Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula, Mombasa Deputy Governor William Kingi, Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga, Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, Kilifi Deputy Gorvenor Gideon Sabur, and Kimilili MP Chris Wamalwa.

Wetang’ula said while the NASA leadership had not shut the door to dialogue to break the political stalemate, it was imperative that any meaningful talks not have preconditions or a preconceived outcome.

“We do not fear elections. Let there be a level paying field where all players are subjected to fair play,” said Wetang’ula.

The Bungoma senator claimed it was evident the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was being used as a tool for Jubilee.

“There is a section of IEBC commissioners who have been holding endless meetings with Jubilee leaders. NASA is not asking for too much in its quest for fair and just elections,” he said.

Wetang’ula asked why the poll agency had yet to act on the Supreme Court ruling that pointed out a number of illegalities and irregularities during the August 8 General Election.

United nation

“What action has IEBC taken against the culprits who bungled the August polls?” asked Wetang’ula.

In his sermon, Bishop Wafula criticised the police for using excessive force on demonstrators, leading to injuries and loss of lives.

“The clerics of this country have been fasting day in, day out. We have prayed for Kenya and by the grace of God, Kenya shall remain a united nation,” he said.

He appealed to Raila to agree to a face-to-face meeting with Uhuru to end the political standoff.

“I am ready to mediate. I will fly to Nairobi at my own cost to mediate between Raila and Uhuru,” said Wafula.

Electoral commission

Raila said the protests against the electoral commission would continue today.

He slammed fringe candidates included in the presidential race, depicting them as agents of the ruling regime.

Raila, Wetang’ula, and Musalia Mudavadi told supporters at a rally in Mombasa that IEBC was about to conduct the most fraudulent poll in Kenya’s electoral history.

They said this was after IEBC on Friday issued a memo indicating that results would only be transmitted manually.