Trade unions ask IEBC to call off Thursday election

KMPDU Dr. Ouma Oluga Secretary General at Kenyatta National Hospital on December 19, 2016. He said that the private hospitals with close their doors on December 22, 2016 as the doctors will join them in the strike. Photo/Jack Owuor
KMPDU Dr. Ouma Oluga Secretary General at Kenyatta National Hospital on December 19, 2016. He said that the private hospitals with close their doors on December 22, 2016 as the doctors will join them in the strike. Photo/Jack Owuor

A group of trade unions and civil society organisations want Thursday's presidential election called off.

Led by KMPDU secretary general Ouma Oluga, they said putting off the election will not result in a constitutional crisis.

They said IEBC has the power to postpone the election in the event that the environment is too hostile and is likely to frustrate a free, fair and credible poll.

"We call on the IEBC to move with haste to ensure the election is vacated," Njonjo Mue said.

The groups are convinced it is not possible for the election to be credible as the country is in a grave and deepening crisis.

They cited ethnic militia and claimed vernacular radio stations are calling on people to "prepare for war".

Njonjo mentioned Kameme FM as one of the stations.

"To proceed with the election as planned will deepen the political crisis and push Kenya into another round of devastating violence. This must not happen at any cost," he added.

Various quarters have urged rivals Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga to hold dialogue.

The President said he will only hold talks with Raila after the election, which the latter has opted to boycott.

Raila is leading a countrywide boycott of the poll on Thursday, pushing for reforms at the IEBC including the removal of CEO Ezra Chiloba, who is on a three-week leave.

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