NASAs wrong, well abide by presidential vote tallying ruling Ruto

Deputy President William Ruto has come out to refute the Opposition’s assertions that Jubilee Party compelled the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to appeal a High Court ruling on the tallying of the presidential results.

The High Court on April 4, 2017 ruled that presidential election results announced at the constituency levels will be final – a directive that the poll body wants reversed.

The Raila Odinga-led National Super Alliance (NASA) has opposed IEBC’s move, saying that the poll body wants to retain the right to announce the final results so that it can doctor the polls – a motive that the Opposition coalition says is influenced by Jubilee.

Ruto has now come out to refute these allegations, saying Jubilee is ready to abide by whichever ruling the Court of Appeal makes on the presidential tally suit.

Touching on the Opposition’s threats to boycott the election of IEBC succeeds in reversing the High Court ruling; Ruto said that NASA was merely trying to blackmail the poll body.

“Threats, blackmails and intimidation are the tools of trade for dictators and terrorists. When you, NASA, find yourself blackmailing the IEBC and the courts, you are telling Kenyans exactly which kind of people you are,” said Ruto.

Speaking hours after Raila announced that NASA had been enjoined in IEBC’s petition, Ruto criticised the Opposition for what he termed as dictatorship.

He urged the opposition to respect the role of the courts instead of trying to meddle in the process.

“Civilized missions are run on the basis of constitutionalism and the rule of law, NASA should leave the courts to interpret the law correctly. The constitution says that the presidential returning officer is the chairperson of IEBC,” added Mr. Ruto.

Ruto was speaking in an exclusive interview with Citizen TV’s Anne Kiguta.