Kipchumba Murkomen, the Leader of Majority in the Senate. He has defended President Uhuru Kenyatta's win in the repeat election. [Photo: Daily Nation]
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has hit out at the Opposition's NASA coalition for denouncing the reelection of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Murkomen defended Uhuru's victory in the October 26 fresh poll, adding that the win was the will of the people.
"The constitutional threshold to be President is set at 50+1 percent of the votes cast nationally, with at least 25 percent from 24 counties, a requirement the President-elect has met and significantly surpassed, and even opened up for scrutiny at the Supreme Court for anybody who wishes to question its validity," he said.
In an opinion piece published by The Standard on Friday, the Senator defended voter turnout saying amid 'violence and intimidation by NASA', it was better than expected.
"For those naysayers describing the 38 percent voter turnout as declared by IEBC as low and claiming that it does not meet the threshold of legitimacy for the President, it is noteworthy that out of the 8.2 million voters for Uhuru in August, only about 9 percent did not show up in October," he said.
"This is consistent with anticipated 10-20 percent lower voter turnouts in re-runs, by-elections or fresh elections worldwide," Murkomen noted.
The Senator told NASA leaders to present whatever issues they may have with the processes or legalities used to elect Uhuru to court for redress as required by the Constitution.
"Let us respect the will of the Kenyan people and if we have any electoral grievances, let us do what is right in law," he added.