IEBC officials in a past event. They have abandoned plans to hold fresh elections in Nyanza. Photo/Nation]
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) have finally withdrawn plans to hold fresh presidential elections in four counties.
Due to escalating violence, the commission had postponed the elections to Saturday 28th before cancelling the elections to a later date.
But with strict timelines, IEBC has abandoned the plans to hold elections in the regions adding that the prevailing circumstances could even worsen the situation.
“We have assessed the situation in the four counties and even consulted stakeholders and we have decided to abandon the plan to hold elections in those regions.
“The security of our officials was at risk and we now have to announce the winner with the results we so far have,” added the commission’s Vice Chair Consolata Nkatha.
The new development means that President Uhuru Kenyatta will be declared winner having garnered 7.4 million votes in an election that was boycotted by opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Counties that will be affected with the IEBC pronouncement include Migori, Kisumu, Siaya and Homabay all in former Nyanza province.
At least six people have been reportedly killed by the police after they opposed IEBC’s decision to hold elections in the regions following violent demonstrations.