Stop attacking IEBC, govt tells opposition

State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu has criticised the opposition for sustained attacks on the Independent Electoral boundaries Commission (IEBC) as the country prepares for the August General Election.

Addressing the media at the Nakuru State Lodge, Esipisu called on Kenyans to support the commission in order to deliver credible elections.

“We should be supportive of the good work the IEBC has been doing to deliver free and fair elections. Anyone who cast doubts on the work of IEBC cannot claim to be champions of the new Constitution,” Esipisu said.

He further criticised the plan by the opposition to set up a parallel tallying center during the August General Election, saying the commission was the only body mandated by the Constitution to run the elections.

The Statehouse spokesman, however, could not comment on claims that the IEBC awarded the tender to a French company fined for allegedly issuing bribes.

IEBC has awarded the Ksh3 billion tender for voter identification and transmission of results to French company Safran Identity Limited after cancelling that of South Africa’s Gemalto.

It was, however, found out that a French court had fined the company in 2012 after they were found guilty of bribing public officials to win a contract in 2000-03.

Esipisu, during the briefing, also dismissed claims by a section of opposition leaders from coastal region opposed to the government’s plan to construct an inland port in Naivasha.

He said the project, contrary to claims by the leaders, would enhance operations at the Mombasa seaport by reducing the waiting time hence increasing the port’s capacity to handle cargo.

He accused the opposition of spreading a false narrative on government projects saying the policies put in place had improved lives of Kenyans throughout the country.

“Despite the false narrative that the economy is not doing well, Kenya’s economic growth has remained resilient and has posted robust growth in 2016,” he said.

On ongoing security operation in Baringo and Laikipia counties, Esipisu said the presence of Kenya Defence Forces in the region has already seen a reduction in criminal activities.

“The presence of KDF has deterred potential attacks and has led to an overall improvement in security in the area. The surging numbers will help in pacifying the area and in due time the residents will see positive results,” he added.

He also said the government’s move to ban plastic bags was aimed at maintaining the environment and will be implemented fully after numerous efforts failed in the past.

“There have been efforts in the past but it is time for companies to consider the general good of the county and not their effect on individual pockets,” he added.

He also noted that the ongoing response to drought has seen the government distribute relief food to 3 million people and initiated a cash transfer program.

He stated that although the overall inflation has shot up above the government’s target, the government had put in place measures to tame food inflation.