President Uhuru Kenyatta being sworn in. [Photo/nation.co.ke]
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday, November 12 presented his response to the petition filed at the Supreme Court challenging his re-election in the October 26 election.
Mr. Kenyatta has been listed as the third respondent in the petition filed by activists Njonjo Mue and Khelef Khalifa.
In his affidavit filed through Ogetto, Otachi & Company Advocates, the president-elect has outlined why he believes he validly won the fresh poll, which was boycotted by his main rival; NASA leader Raila Odinga.
Uhuru categorically blames NASA, its leadership and supporters whom he says deliberately set out to make a “brazenly and unlawful” attempt to make sure that no repeat election would be held as scheduled by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
“This was evidenced by numerous demonstrations organized by NASA, coming with irreducible minimums that are not feasible, issuing threats to IEBC staffs, calling on supporters to boycott poll and preventing a section of Kenyans from voting through intimidation,” reads part of the response.
“IEBC and chairperson Wafula Chebukati did not in any way discriminate or disenfranchise any voters including the voters in the 27 Constituencies as complained, or at all. While the right to vote is a fundamental human right, it can only be enforced in conditions of willingness by the voter to exercise it and absence of external factors as was present in the areas,” argues the president-elect.
According to Kenyatta, IEBC was more cautious this time round in ensuring that the electoral process was as transparent as possible.
“More than 97% of persons who voted were identified through their Biometrics in the KIEMS kits; a total number of registered voters remained the same between June and October contrary to the averments contained in the petition; IEBC published information relating to voter turnout,” says Kenyatta.
Meanwhile, the clock has already begun ticking to the court’s verdict that must be rendered by November 20th, to determine if Kenyatta will be sworn in on November 28th or Kenyans will return to the ballot for the third time in six months, in mid-January next year.