Malala, Barasa clash over IEBC decision to suspend Kakamega elections

The indefinite suspension of the Kakamega and Mombasa gubernatorial elections by the IEBC has triggered mixed reactions among the candidates and their supporters in Kakamega County.

While addressing the press at a hotel in Kakamega on Thursday, the Kenya Kwanza coalition candidate Cleophas Malala defended the Iebc saying the commission was acting within its constitutional rights.

“Even though I feel disappointed as a candidate, the IEBC was acting within its constitutional rights," Malala said.

"The IEBC was envisaged by the drafters of our constitution to be an independent body. It’s not supposed to be intimidated by anybody or given direction by external people and therefore its independence is mandatory in any election.” 

ODM Candidate Fernandez Barasa and his running mate Ayub Savula sharply opposed the suspension.

They have moved to court to petition IEBC to continue with the plans to hold the elections on Tuesday, August 23 as earlier declared by the IEBC.

“We want to tell IEBC that the people of Kakamega are ready for the elections on the 23rd of August. We are reading malice in the suspension of these elections," Barasa said.

"We know the plan of the Iebc was to suspend this election in order to create voter apathy so that Azimio can not garner many votes."

He added:

"We have moved to court to demand our right as the people of Kakamega to choose their leaders without any interference."

IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati indefinitely suspended the elections in Kakamega and Mombasa citing harassment and profiling of Iebc staff.

Senator Malala called on the residents of Kakamega to exercise patience and allow the commission time to give direction on the matter.

“We shall respect whatever direction the IEBC gives us because they are the constitutionally mandated body to conduct elections and we are ready to face our opponents at any convenient time and date that IEBC will gazette for our elections.”

His running mate Beatrice Inyangala said as much as it was a right of the people of Kakamega to demand a free and fair election, it was appropriate to give Iebc time to implement its mitigation strategies.

“ We are totally convinced that our message lives in their hearts. This is what will keep them waiting with full expectation and coming up in full numbers  to vote for us when that time comes,” Inyangala said