Why Uhuru is Afraid of Sacking IEBC Officials

President Uhuru Kenyatta has revealed why he has been reluctant to direct Commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to leave office.

Speaking at State House during a meeting with members of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (Kepsa) on Thursday, Kenyatta indicated that he was afraid of being humiliated in case someone went to court to challenge such a decision.

"Why in God's name do I have to do something then I be embarrassed tomorrow by being told I have no powers to do so," he stated.

The Head of State also hit out at a 'certain' diplomat he said had been pressuring him to listen to demands of Opposition leaders who have been advocating for the removal of IEBC officials.

“Ambassador, just to be clear, you don't have to plead with me to engage them (opposition),” said Kenyatta.

Addressing the issue of holding dialogue with the CORD coalition over the IEBC stalemate, Mr Kenyatta confirmed that he was ready for the talks as long as they were conducted within the confines of the law.

"I myself have prepared my own position which I am ready to present to them," affirmed the President.

The Opposition has been advocating for the restructuring of IEBC, including reducing the number of Commissioners from nine to seven or six and reviewing the system of announcing presidential results.

Cord leader Raila Odinga previously proposed that the IEBC chair should not be a full fixed term but rotational every one to two years, to avoid the chair imposing himself or herself on the rest of the commission.

Read Also: Raila Sets These Conditions for Dialogue With Uhuru

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