National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga has spoken out on the postponement of elections in four counties by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
In a Tuesday interview with Citizen TV, Mr Odinga told supporters the move was down to ethnic profiling, urging them not to engage in protests and boycott the poll entirely.
He stated: “This is tribal profiling against Luos because voting did not take place in many areas like Kuria and even in Nairobi.”
The postponement was occasioned by low voter-turnout in NASA strongholds as well as clashes with police in some areas.
IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati announced the decision to postpone the poll in four counties; Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay and Migori to October 28th.
[caption caption="IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati"]
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He cited security concerns as the reason behind the changes following confrontations between NASA supporters and the police.
He further noted that he had written to Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet to seek direction.
The announcement has not been received well in the counties with area residents maintaining that there will be no election.
Members of the Seventh Day Adventists (SDA) have also strongly opposed the date as it happens to be their day of worship.
A different group of Church leaders held a press briefing in Kisumu on Friday where they blasted the IEBC's decision, terming it 'a license for state massacre'.
[caption caption="Kisumu religious leaders issuing the statement alongside Governor Anyang' Nyong'o"]
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Rev Canon Joshua Owiti of the Diocese of Maseno East stated: "For Mr Chebukati to say he has requested Mr Boinnet (IG) for assistance to ensure voting takes place specifically in Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay and Migori, that is a license for State massacre in these areas because the only language Boinnet knows is that of guns and bullets."
UPDATES:
14:35 AM : The story was updated with quotes from the interview.
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