Mudavadi, NCCK oppose polls date plot

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Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi (left) during a news conference in Nairobi after a meeting with the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) July 25, 2012. He is flanked by NCCK General Secretary Rev Canon Peter Karanja. The two leaders opposed attempts to push elections to August next year. BILLY MUTAI 

By DAVE OPIYO dopiyo@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Wednesday, July 25  2012 at  17:16

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi and the umbrella organisation for protestant churches have opposed attempts to push elections to August next year.

Mr Mudavadi and the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) leadership said any attempts to move the elections date beyond March 4, 2013 - as set by the electoral commission - will be unpopular with Kenyans.

“Kenyans have already set themselves for March elections. Anything beyond the date set by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will be pushing Kenyans beyond a cliff. It is unacceptable,” said the DPM during a news conference in Nairobi Wednesday.

“Let’s finish this thing (elections) in March next year,” said Mr Mudavadi, who is the United Democratic Forum (UDF) party presidential aspirant.

Similar remarks were also made by the NCCK General Secretary Rev Cannon Peter Karanja.

“We are opposed to the pushing of elections to August next year…we shall not allow that to happen,” he said.

“Politicians should not use unconstitutional ways to extend their term. Kenyans will not allow that."

The Daily Nation Tuesday's edition revealed that some MPs and ministers are quietly pushing for an August 2013 date.

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The proponents of the August date argue that the IEBC was not ready to hold the elections on March 4 given the delay in awarding the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) tender and the mapping of 80 new constituencies.

The two leaders spoke after a three-hour closed door meeting in Nairobi.

Mr Mudavadi was accompanied by Industrialisation Assistant minister Ndiritu Muriithi and MPs Jeremiah Kioni and George Nyamweya.  The DPM later met councillors from Nyandarua County.

Rev Karanja said NCCK will next month host a forum for all presidential aspirants where they will interact and dialogue with church leaders.

“NCCK is committed to a level playing field for all presidential aspirants and we believe the best candidate should win,” said the general secretary.

“We are also committed towards peaceful polls and transition. For this to happen, there must be concerted efforts by all stakeholders in the campaign period, election and post-election,” he said.

Rev Karanja said they will engage all presidential aspirants to express their concern for peace and seek their commitment for the same.

“NCCK considers peace and national cohesion, implementation of the constitution, devolution and equity in national development, Vision 2030 and the cost of living as issues the presidential candidates must address themselves to."