Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has come to the defense of President William Ruto regarding the ongoing delays in constituting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Speaking during an interdenominational prayer service, Mudavadi emphasized that the real culprits behind the standstill are those who have taken their grievances to court concerning the electoral agency’s formation.
“The narrative that President Ruto is responsible for these delays is unfounded,” Mudavadi stated. “People are talking and the things they are saying are not true. They should take responsibility for their actions.”
Mudavadi urged those embroiled in legal battles to withdraw their cases, stressing that the President operates within the law and is committed to ensuring a duly constituted electoral body.
“There are those who went to court and it is not Ruto’s administration that has hindered the process. The President is a person who cannot break the law,” he remarked.
The call comes amidst growing concerns from various stakeholders about the implications of not having a functioning IEBC ahead of upcoming elections. Law Society of Kenya President, Faith Odhiambo, echoed these sentiments, warning that the lack of a properly constituted electoral body poses a significant risk to the constitutional framework of the nation.
“The political landscape is on the brink of implosion,” she said, urging the Judiciary to act decisively to resolve ongoing disputes.
The absence of a fully constituted IEBC stems from the removal of four commissioners and the expiry of terms for the chair and two commissioners in early 2023.
Mudavadi had previously called for an end to the legal challenges that threaten to stymie the reconstitution process, labeling them as politically motivated.
