Keep off server issue, Ruto men tell members in talks team

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has kicked up a fresh storm insisting that the audit of last election must be dropped from the agenda in the ongoing talks between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio.

Gachagua, who was speaking in Meru, argued there is no constitutional provision to audit the servers of the 2022 general election as has been rooted for by opposition leaders.

The audit, he said, was done and concluded, with the Supreme Court having pronounced itself that President William Ruto was validly elected and sworn in.

“Those people have no capacity. Your excellency, that one we do not agree and we request that the agenda be dropped from the talks...if they want a discussion on election they should wait for 2027 and it is a good question because we are meeting at the ballot,” he said.

But in a quick rejoinder, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who is leading the Azimio team in the talks, took issue with the statement insisting that servers must be opened.

“We must get electoral justice including opening of servers. I have heard Gachagua saying opening of servers is not our function, what does he fear?” he posed.

Kalonzo made the remarks during an event in Kisii.

The DP who was speaking during a church service in Laare, Meru, also reaffirmed his earlier stance that he has been against any talks with the opposition leaders, saying the sustained push by Azimio was because “we are encouraging bad habits”.

Kenya Kwanza had initially raised reconstitution of the IEBC, implementation of two-thirds gender rule, the entrenchment of the Constituency Development Fund and the establishment, entrenchment of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition and embedment of the Office of Prime Cabinet Secretary as the items for discussion.

Azimio named the cost of living, audit of the 2022 presidential election results, restructuring and reconstitution of the IEBC. It also wants interference with political parties by the executive discussed.

The National Dialogue Committee, which has been adopted by Parliament has agreed to prioritise the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in its deliberations.

Kalonzo said the committee will first deal with electoral justice and related matters.

According to a statement issued by the committee, the panel had listed five broader issues for discussion.

The issue of electoral justice had been listed in the second position.

Under the electoral justice agenda, items include the reconstitution of IEBC, audit of 2022 presidential election and boundaries delimitation.

When he took to the podium during the service, Ruto kept off the discussion only saying he has no problem creating an office for the opposition to keep his administration in check.

He implored leaders across the country to tolerate one another, and shun political squabbling.

The head of state recognise that political differences exist but urged the leaders to unite so that services to the people can be achieved.

“Mimi sina shida na watu wa upinzani, wanafanya kazi mzuri kuikosoa serikali hata nimewaambia kama wanataka ofisi ya opposition tutatengeneza kubwa na tumnunulie tarumbeta kubwa awe anatangaza kuanzia asubuhi mpaka jioni waseme serikali imekosa hivi haijafanya hivi,” he said.

"(I have no problem with the opposition because they are doing a job work of oversighting the government and I have told them that if they want an office, we are going to create it and even buy them a trumpet so that they can blow it from morning, afternoon and evening)"

Ruto also reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption in the country, warning those preying on government property of stern action.

The President also announced the government is investing Sh25 billion in a comprehensive security modernisation programme.

The plan, Ruto said, involves acquisition of personal protective equipment for officers confronting banditry, terrorism and organised crime.

The equipment, he said, will arrive in the country next month.