President Uhuru Kenyatta has ruled out holding talks with National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga over electoral reforms despite Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati calling for dialogue between them.
Speaking during a Jubilee Party rally in Kabarnet on Wednesday, Kenyatta reiterated that he was ready for the election and would not hold talks with anyone.
“We are ready for the election set for October 26 and I will not hold talks with anyone. The only talks I will hold are with the people of Kenya, going to the voters to ask for votes.
"The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has been supported by taxpayers with Sh12 Billion and their job is to organise elections and not to hold dialogue with anyone,” remarked Kenyatta.
His sentiments came just a few days after Odinga stated that he was ready to sit down for constructive talks on how the election should be conducted.
[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta"]
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A visibly agitated Kenyatta told Odinga that if he is not ready to vote, he should let other Kenyans exercise their democratic right on election day.
“I have no time for such talks. If Raila is not ready to vote on October 26, then he can go and sleep in his house and leave alone Kenyans who are ready to exercise their democratic rights,” added Kenyatta.
Earlier this week, the former Prime Minister welcomed talks with the Head of State but rubbished claims that he was pushing for a power-sharing deal.
Odinga has maintained that he will not take part in the election if IEBC does not make changes to its team.
On Wednesday, the Commission suffered a huge setback after the resignation of Dr. Roselyn Akombe who revealed major cracks in the poll body and questioned its ability to conduct a credible poll.
[caption caption="NASA Leader Raila Odinga"]
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