Kenyan
opposition leader Raila Odinga has pulled out of October's election
re-run. (From BBC Africa news site)
Mr
Odinga said his withdrawal would give the electoral commission enough
time to introduce reforms that will help deliver a more credible
election. The Supreme Court annulled the result of the original 8
August poll, which saw Uhuru Kenyatta declared winner, after finding
irregularities. But Mr Kenyatta says he is ready to proceed with the
new vote as planned.
The
country's electoral commission said Mr Kenyatta had won the August
vote by a margin of 1.4 million votes - or 54% of the total, compared
to Mr Odinga's 44%. Kenya's vice-president, William Ruto, has now
called on the commission to declare Mr Kenyatta president as a result
of Mr Odinga's announcement.
The
election re-run was due to take place on 26 October, but Mr Odinga
said on Tuesday: "We have come to the conclusion that there is
no intention on the part of the IEBC [electoral commission] to
undertake any changes to its operations and personnel. All
indications are that the election scheduled for 26 October will be
worse than the previous one." As a result, he said,
"considering the interests of the people of Kenya, the region
and the world at large" it was best that he withdrew from the
race.
Mr
Odinga's coalition party believes the election will have to be
cancelled as a result of his withdrawal, allowing "adequate time
to undertake the reforms necessary to conduct an election that is in
strict conformity with the constitution, the relevant laws and the
constitution".
But
Mr Kenyatta, speaking at a rally in the southern town of Voi, said:
"We have no problem going back to elections. We are sure we will
get more votes than the last time."
He
added: "We are also telling him it is the people's right to
choose their leader. It is their sovereign right to choose their
leader of choice."
#
# # #
Uncharted
territory By Dickens Olewe, BBC News
The
withdrawal could be a strategy for Raila Odinga to exit the political
scene on his own terms. The annulment of President Uhuru Kenyatta's
victory in the 8 August election was a much-needed political high for
Mr Odinga.
He
felt vindicated for challenging the election and pushed for changes
to the electoral system as a condition for his participation in the
re-run. The electoral commission has rejected the changes he
demanded, largely because of contractual agreements with the
companies providing key services for the election.
With
President Kenyatta's party having won a majority of MPs in both
houses of parliament, it is likely that Mr Odinga was headed for
another defeat and that would be too much for a man, who has been
nicknamed 'the enigma'
The
legal consequences of Mr Odinga's withdrawal are unclear.
Constitutional lawyers disagree on the way forward and whether the 26
October election can still take place and if, despite his withdrawal,
Mr Odinga will still be on the ballot.
Although
many Kenyans are jaded by the never-ending political drama, they will
now have to belt-up for a drive further into unchartered territory.
Mr
Odinga's opposition coalition - the National Super Alliance (NASA) -
has previously made clear its participation in the election was
contingent on reforms being made. But Kenya's Independent Electoral
and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) says it has made the necessary
changes.
Prominent
opposition senator James Orengo has called on people to protest on
Wednesday, using the slogan "no reform, no elections".
No comments:
Post a Comment