Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has fired back to Siaya Senator James Orengo after he stated that the commission should be disbanded.
This is after the Senator revealed an alleged incapacity of the electoral body to hold credible elections or referenda.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s NewsNight show, senator Orengo called for the disbandment of IEBC as part of the reforms envisaged by the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report.
In a rejoinder, IEBC fired back at senator Orengo stating that he was a product of the same system that he constantly criticizes.
The commission further advised senator Orengo to resign or cease from attacking the body, saying they are currently focussed on dispensing their ‘constitutionally mandated duties.’
“The Honorable senator is an elected member of the Senate who is, therefore, a product of the same alleged criminal enterprise. If , indeed, he stands by his sentiments, he should honourably resign to gain moral grounds to criticize the institution that oversaw his election to the Senate,” read the press release in part.
Press Release – IEBC is NOT a Punching Bag for Political Mileage https://t.co/P0rD4TAOQj#TalkwithIEBC pic.twitter.com/ywSvcrv1fR
— IEBC (@IEBCKenya) January 8, 2020
In the 2017 General Election, NASA coalition contested the results that showed President Kenyatta won the Presidential ballot.
Senator Orengo on IEBC: I do not think the problem is in transmission of election results. We need a commission that can apply the law. #NewsNight@WaihigaMwaura pic.twitter.com/IGlS7HrwCY
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) January 7, 2020
The coalition would boycott a repeat election organized after the Supreme Court of Kenya invalidated the contested result, giving President Kenyatta a smooth sailing to the office on the hill.