Odhiambo Orlale And Samuel Kumba
3 October 2008
Nairobi — The Chinese ambassador, Mr Zhang Ming, said the rule of law should prevail in the way the country handles the Electoral Commission of Kenya.
"We believe in the rule of law. Largely, this is Kenya's internal affairs. I believe that the Kenyan Government is up to the task in addressing it," said Mr Zhang on Friday.
South African ambassador Tony Msimanga said the country's sovereignty should be respected but encouraged Kenyans to push for the electoral process reforms.
"It is up to Kenyans to address the issue and we are all looking forward for the action to be taken. We have confidence in President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga that they will amicably resolve the issue," said Msimanga.
German Ambassador Walter Lindner said he was in favour of the implementation of Justice Kriegler Commission's report.
"But how it is done and who does it is something we leave to Government of Kenya to discuss. I believe all details will be discussed as we focus on a common ground as the Coalition Government is looking good," said Mr Lindner.
The envoy promised to bring in German tourists and urged the coalition government to remain on course in delivering a new Constitution, reforming land issues and bridging the gap between the rich and the poor.
The French ambassador preferred not to comment on the matter only maintaining that the Kriegler Commission report should be implemented fully.
German's minister of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety said coalition governments usually seek to establish a common ground and compromises for the sake of the population.
But the US ambassador said the ECK has lost the confidence of the public and should quit. The ECK has however denied that the public has lost confidence in it.
Revolution
In direct defiance of Foreign minister Moses Wetang'ula who ordered foreign missions to keep off the issue of the fate of Mr Samuel Kivuitu and his team, the embassy said ECK should not pass the buck.
However, Internal Security minister George Saitoti said that while the Government was keen on reforming the electoral system, this has to be done in an orderly manner.
"It is important, however, that people don't confuse reforms with a revolution. Reforms are normally done in a very orderly manner," he said.
Mr Eric Van Der Linden, the EU head of mission concurs. "However, we all support the conclusion of the Kriegler Commission report and I know that there is nobody in Government indicating that they will not implement the recommendations. I am confident that this will happen."
Meanwhile, ECK defended the embattled 22 commissioners in a paid up advertisement, saying they were not in the office because they enjoyed security of tenure, but because "they have done nothing wrong that warrants their resignation."
The commission denied claims that the public have lost confidence in the 22 commissioners because of the manner in which they managed and supervised the last General Election and presidential tallies.
Embattled
The ECK appealed to foreign diplomats wishing to comment on the Kriegler report to do so through properly established diplomatic channels.
Meanwhile, the Law Society of Kenya and International Commission of Jurists Kenya chapter said the Kriegler Report's recommendation should be implemented as soon as possible.
The LSK chairman Okong'o O'Mogeni supported concerns raised by the foreign diplomats and reminded the Foreign minister that the national accord signed by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga in February, to end the post elections violence that claimed 1,200 lives and left 350,000 people displaced, was a concerted effort which had a diplomatic flavour.
ICJ-K chairman, Mr Wilfred Nderitu, urged the Government to use the legal mechanisms to remove the commissioners on the principal of accountability.
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