IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati (Right) with vice-chairperson Consolata Maina. [Photo: the-star.co.ke]
The civil society organisations and a group of trade unions have called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to call off the October 26 fresh presidential election.Addressing members of the press on Monday led by Chairman of the International Commission of Jurists Njonjo Mue and KMPDU secretary general Ouma Oluga, they said the electoral body has the power to postpone the election if they feel the environment is too hostile and is likely to frustrate a free, fair and credible poll. They also noted that putting off the poll will not result to a constitutional crisis."We call on the IEBC to move with haste to ensure the election is vacate," said Mue.While noting that the country is currently in a grave and deepening crisis which cannot hold an election, the group accused vernacular radio stations of calling on people to "prepare for war".They also said if the election will continue on Thursday as planned, the country will be in a political crisis."To proceed with the election as planned will deepen the political crisis and push Kenya into another round of devastating violence. This must not happen at any cost," Nonjo added.The National Super Alliance (Nasa) has insisted that there will be no election on October 26 while Jubilee party has maintained that the poll will be held. IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati on the other hand said he cannot guarantee of a credible election.