Lucas Barasa
7 October 2008
Nairobi — Many Kenyans will not vote in the 2012 General Election if the current Electoral Commission is not disbanded, Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said.
Mr Odinga told a Tanzanian radio station in an interview from France that most Kenyans had no confidence in the ECK as currently constituted and renewed his call to chairman Samuel Kivuitu to lead his team in resigning.
Mr Kivuitu has insisted he did nothing wrong to warrant his resignation and that Kenyans have confidence in him.
The Prime Minister said that the Kriegler Commission report on last year's general elections had given a clear verdict on ECK, calling for its total overhaul.
The PM said the ECK was not properly constituted, was partisan and favoured one side in the December 27 elections.
"Kivuitu and his team should resign instead of waiting to be sent packing," Mr Odinga said.
The PM said Mr Kivuitu had a chance of refusing to preside over the elections if he saw there were signs of foul play or even refuse to announce the presidential election results if he was uncertain who won.
The PM said the National Accord he signed with President Kibaki called for electoral reforms as part of finding a lasting solution to problems facing the country.
"We signed agreement to carry out the changes, we want to start now," Mr Odinga said.
Asked if he will vie for the presidency in 2012, Mr Odinga said it was too early to talk about the polls or launch campaigns.
He said he was working well with President Kibaki and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka in the Grand Coalition government. While President Kibaki chaired Cabinet meetings, Mr Odinga ensured that ministers and government institutions functioned properly.
Resignation
Commenting on former Finance minister Amos Kimunya's forced resignation, Mr Odinga said it was necessitated by the Grand Regency Hotel sale investigations.
The PM, however, said Mr Kimunya might be returned to the Cabinet if cleared by the retired Chief Justice Majid Cockar-led independent inquiry on the hotel sale.
Mr Odinga described Tanzania, Kenya's third biggest trading partner, as a key friend having helped in the formation of the grand coalition.
He called for the fast-tracking of East Africa Community Federation, saying it will result in faster development.
Mr Odinga's remarks came as Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetang'ula disclosed that a Cabinet sub-committee has already approved the Kriegler report.
He said on Tuesday night that the report will now move to full Cabinet, probably next week, for approval.
Speaking at a photography exhibition at the Goethe Institute, Mr Wetang'ula said the process of implementing the reforms recommended by the Kriegler team is on course and asked foreign diplomats to avoid interfering with the process.
Additional reporting by John Ngirachu
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