Kenyan trade unions call for presidential election postponement

23 Octobre 2017

Nairobi, Kenya,  October 23 (Infosplusgabon) - Kenyan trade unions and the civil society organisations on Monday called for the postponement of the presidential election set for Thursday, saying it would plunge the country into a deeper political crisis.

The grouping of trade unions, civil society organisations, the academia and the media, said there was need to hold non-violent presidential election in Kenya after a solution is found to the current impasse.

"We came together over the past week to address the political crisis that has gripped the country. We are united by the commitment to non-violence, justice, truth and free, fair, credible and peaceful elections," the trade unions said in a joint statement.

The trade unions included the giant Kenya Confederation of Trade Unions (COTU) and unions representatives of doctors, university lecturers, teachers and other civil society bodies.

"The consultations have convinced us that it is not possible to hold a free, fair and credible election on October 26, 2017 as scheduled.  We-the-People therefore demand that the election scheduled for 26 October be called off."

According to the group, Kenya is in a grave and deepening crisis, with ethnic militias mobilising and vernacular radio stations calling on people to prepare for war.

On Monday, President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed a group of journalists working for radio stations broadcasting in his ethnic Kikuyu language to mobilise voters for the 26 Oct poll.

Deputy President William Ruto also addressed a group of journalists on the election.

The civil society group said ethnic communities are arming themselves and politicians are making incendiary speeches and threatening violence.

Militia are being openly mobilised – even Cabinet Secretary for Interior Fred Matiangi is on record mobilising the ‘chinkororo’ in Kisii County.

"We are on the brink of bloodshed and hurtling towards catastrophe," the group said.

The Union members said they were greatly alarmed at the sight of public servants and members of the Cabinet wearing military fatigues at political rallies.

"This visual intimidation and show of might will not bring good tidings to the people of Kenya," the trade union officials said.

Members of the group said they were also deeply disappointed at the broadcast of new advertisements from State House, purportedly representing the people of Kenya and imploring the people to vote, even when it is evident that a large chunk of the country will not take part in the forthcoming election.

The current political and security environment in the country does not support election under the constitutional principle of universal suffrage.

Trade union leaders spoke as Interior minister Matiangi met security chiefs and urged them to act against any security breaches during the election.

The meeting also took place as the Director of Public Prosecutions, Keriako Tobiko, ordered the arrest of a former deputy Governor Ruth Odinga, sister of opposition leader Raila Odinga for roughing up an election official in Kisumu recently.

Civil society groups said security officers deployed to police demonstrations demanding reforms ahead of fresh presidential election have caused scores of deaths and injuries, with evidence indicating that the use of lethal force was neither proportional to the seriousness of the offence nor strictly unavoidable to protect life.

"We are also deeply concerned by attacks on electoral officials by opposition supporters in parts of the country.

"We fear for the safety and lives of election staff who will manage the polling stations, and voters who may turn up, should the election go ahead. The exercise will neither confirm credibility nor confer any legitimacy on the winner," said the groups, demanding that a national dialogue be convened to address the political situation in Kenya.

"Mr Chebukati, as the National Returning Officer for the presidential election, should urgently seek  the guidance of the Supreme Court in light of the present circumstances. It is a fact that the IEBC cannot deliver a free, fair and credible election on 26bOctober 2017," they  said.

"We-the-People remind those clutching at this legal fig leaf that the judiciary has previously helped the country to identify election dates in 2012 under the current Constitution and can do so again.

"The electoral commission has power to postpone polling in the event that the environment is hostile to and will likely frustrate free, fair and credible election. Further, the guidance of the Supreme Court on conducting a fresh election is required after one of the candidates announced his withdrawal from the race on the basis of a 2013 decision.

"The court had previously observed that a candidate abandoning a fresh presidential race should trigger an entirely fresh election, including the nomination of candidates.

"The High Court’s recent decision that the direction was obiter dicta and therefore not binding contradicts the advice of the Supreme Court that its obiter and advisory opinions are binding on other courts. The printing of ballot papers and declaration of a voting day cannot override the country’s needs for accountability, truth and justice.

"We-the-People call for the involvement of multiple stakeholders to national dialogue. It is only this form of dialogue, embracing a multi-stakeholder approach that can deescalate the rising tensions and restore the country on a roadmap to peace, truth and justice at this important juncture by focusing on the following issues."

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/PLK/GABON 2017

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