President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto. [Photo|PSCU]
Members of Parliament from President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee Party, have asked the Independent Electoral and BoundariesCommission (IEBC), to declare him president-elect.
This is after NASA, led by presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his Deputy Kalonzo Musyoka, withdrew their October 26, presidential election candidature, citing lack of political goodwill from the IEBC and the Jubilee Party.They further called for fresh election as per the Constitution
Led by Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, Kanini Kega (Kieni), Catherine Waiguru (Laikipia), and Gideon Keter (Nominated), the Jubilee lawmakers demanded that IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati declares Uhuru the president, unopposed, after Raila withdrew.
Citing his own case during the 2014 by-elections in his constituency, Kuria said: “A precedent was set in August 2014 when my name was gazetted as the Gatundu MP less than two weeks to the elections. This was after my competitor, on his own volition, opted out of the race."
"Since Raila has done the same, we expect IEBC to declare Kenyatta elected unopposed,” he added.
The MPs addressing the press, said Raila's ove was inconsequential, wondering why he is asking for reforms at the IEBC yet he has withdrawn his bid.
"In a situation where there are two candidates and one pulls out of the race voluntarily, the remaining one should be declared the winner and sworn into office," said Kega.