Elections will go on as planned, Chebukati says, urges police restraint

IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati and other commissioners address the press at Bomas of Kenya on Wednesday, October 25, 2017. /PATRICK VIDIJA
IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati and other commissioners address the press at Bomas of Kenya on Wednesday, October 25, 2017. /PATRICK VIDIJA

IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati has maintained that Thursday's presidential elections must take place as planned.

"Based on the assurance we have received from security agencies, election will be held tomorrow," he said.

Chebukati addressed a press conference at Bomas of Kenya on Wednesday.

He said tough decisions must be made adding that all polling stations will open at 6am and close at 5pm.

"In cases where there are problems in voting, polling officers will inform us and polling will be suspended to a later date," he said.

Chebukati said the commission

has consulted with IPOA and agreed that police brutality must stop and officers be put on notice.

"Last week, I could not assure our staff of security but I have consulted with IPOA. Any member engaged in harassing

people ahead of the polls will face the full wrath of law," he said.

The clarification follows in the wake of the Supreme Court, for lack of quorum, failing to hear a petition seeking to stop the election.

Justice David Maraga said most judges were away and hence could not reach the quorum of five expected to preside over such matters.

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AKOMBE FLEE

He further noted that some people were keen on protesting against the electoral commission when abroad rather than when here in Kenya.

This was in apparent reference to commissioner Roselyn Akombe who resigned from IEBC and fled the country.

Akombe said

as they are being organised by a very "divided commission".

She told the BBC, in an interview from New York, that she and her brother had received death threats. The brother has already fled Kenya.

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"It is indeed sad that some Kenyans find it easier to protest about Kenyan issues abroad than when they are in the borders of the country,"Chebukati said.

He added that one needs to be bold when protesting adding

that it's

a right enshrined in the constitution.

NASA has insisted that there will be no election while the ruling Jubilee side has gone all out to prepare for the repeat poll.

On Tuesday, the European Union said they will reduce their monitoring missions amid rising tensions in the country.

Foreign observers were heavily criticised by the opposition in August for focusing on the vote, rather than the tallying process led by the IEBC.

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