Uhuru insists IEBC reforms to follow law despite State House meeting

President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) to respect the Constitution, maintaining that Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) reforms must be in line with the law.

Speaking at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru where he led the country in marking the 53^rd Madaraka Day celebrations, President Kenyatta hit out at CORD leaders saying they backed the adoption of the current Constitution, which he says, they are not respecting in their quest to send home the IEBC Commissioners over claims of partiality.

“How can it be that these who were leading us to pass the Constitution now have problems in following the Constitution that we gave ourselves? That is why I am saying we must respect each other. Let us follow the law that is in place,” said the President.

“It is not possible that if you do not like a decision by an institution you say that institution should be disbanded. We must be faithful all of us. Because if you say you have a problem with the IEBC, you have a problem with the Judiciary, you have a problem with Parliament, what are your credentials in so far as the rule of law and constitutionalism is concerned? What then do you believe in? I think these are the hard questions we must ask ourselves as a nation,” said Deputy President William Ruto.

This comes after CORD leader Raila Odinga was Tuesday afternoon invited to State House Nairobi in what was seen as an effort on the President’s part to diffuse political tension brought about by the standoff over the IEBC.

However, sources said the matter was not discussed.

CORD’s management committee downplayed the State House meeting as a mere public relations stunt claiming no substantive issue on IEBC was discussed.

President Kenyatta had invited the opposition leaders to the Madaraka Day celebrations at Nakuru’s Afraha stadium but none of them showed up.