Jubilee Party MP's have demanded that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati declare Uhuru Kenyatta as President unopposed following the withdrawal of National Super Alliance candidate Raila Odinga from the race.
Kieni MP Kanini Kega, Gatundu South's Moses Kuria, Laikipia's Catherine Waiguru and Nominated MP Gideon Keter were among the leaders who called on Chebukati to make the announcement.
Kega stated: "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. That is the only logical thing for IEBC to do.”
Kuria cited his own unopposed election as Gatundu South MP in 2014 after his rival Joachim Kamere withdrew as precedent.
[caption caption="Gatudu South MP Moses Kuria"]
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“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 declared.
Other MPs described Odinga's withdrawal as 'inconsequential' and questioned how he could demand reforms at the IEBC if he is no longer in the race.
MP Maoko Maore noted that their focus would now be on President Kenyatta's swearing-in following the withdrawal.
“This means the President will now be sworn in. It will save this country from the strangulation and the economic meltdown we have found ourselves in after the nullification of the presidential outcome," he stated.
NASA made the announcement declaring the withdrawal of Odinga's candidature at Okoa Kenya offices on Monday.
[caption caption="IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati and Commissioner Roselyne Akombe"]
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Their push for electoral reform will continue with countrywide protests under the 'No Reform No Election' banner.
