Stop Engaging in Side Shows, President Uhuru Tells IEBC

President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to stop engaging in side shows and prepare to conduct October 17th repeat presidential election.

The Head of State further faulted National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential candidate Raila Odinga over his endless demands before the repeat poll is held.

Addressing Litein residents in Kericho County on Friday, Uhuru urged the former Prime Minister to stop taking the country in circles in a bid to derail the fresh poll because Kenyans want to move forward.

President Uhuru Kenyatta insisted that the extended electioneering period has negatively affected businesses and the economy was already feeling the negative effects occasioned by the annulment of his victory.

He asked the Orange Democratic Movement leader said the to be ready for the repeat polls as directed by the apex court and urged IEBC to prepare for the polls and stop engaging in sideshows.

“IEBC is an Independent commission. You are not supposed to take instructions from me and certainly not from Raila. Prepare for the election so that Kenyans can once again exercise their right to choose their leader,” said the President.

The President said he accepted to go back to the people because he obeys and respects the rule of law and wants stability for Kenya even though he disagreed with the decision of the judges who overturned the election.

“Fifteen million Kenyans voted and everyone knew that we won. Four people decided their voice is bigger than the voice of 15 million Kenyans. If the court was just and if Raila has any dispute over the votes cast, the votes should have been recounted,” said the President.

The President, however, said that Raila was free to boycott the repeat polls if he has developed cold feet.

The Head of State also pointed out that Raila did not have the to give Kenyans conditions to be met before he takes part in the elections.

Uhuru further castigated the opposition leader for his insensitive remarks over children who have been in school for years and have been preparing for exams whose dates are fixed.

“You are a candidate and your job is to prepare for the election. I am the President and I care about the Kenyan children. They will do their exams on the scheduled dates,” said the President in response to Raila who demanded that the date of the national exams be derailed so that the election date can be moved from October 17th.

On his part, Deputy President William Ruto exuded confidence that Jubilee will beat Nasa with even a bigger margin than it did on August 8th.

“We defeated you on August 8 and we will defeat you again with a bigger margin. The same Kenyans who rejected you on August 8 will do the same again,” the DP told the opposition leader.

“We are doing Raila and his friends in the courts a favour by participating in the repeat elections because we won,” said the DP.

The DP also asked IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati to prepare for the elections without being distracted.