Kakamega Governor aspirant Fernandes Barasa now says that the postponement of by-elections in the County is meant to punish residents for backing Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga.
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati on Wednesday postponed the Mombasa and Kakamega gubernatorial election until further notice. They were scheduled for Tuesday, August 23, 2022.
Reacting to Chebukati's move on Thursday, 18, Barasa who is vying on an ODM ticket, claimed the decision was meant to punish Kakamega residents for overwhelmingly supporting Odinga in the recently concluded elections.
"I express my disgust at the decision made by the IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati to indefinitely postpone the Gubernatorial Elections scheduled for next week. The people of Kakamega just like other Kenyans, have a right to exercise their democratic right which Mr. Chebukati wants to deprive them of following his decision which was made in bad taste.
"The move, if allowed to stand, will deprive them of the basic services that they are entitled to receive from the County government, as the incumbent Governor will now have limited powers. We have reasons to believe that the whole plan was orchestrated by enemies of Kakamega County, who are behind Mr. Chebukati, and are committed to punishing us for supporting and voting for Azimio La Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga," part of the statement read.
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The ODM aspirant indicated that his lawyers were moving to court to challenge the decision by Chebukati to postpone the elections indefinitely.
He added," I wish to sincerely thank our legal team which has burnt the midnight oil to ensure that we have a solid case against Mr. Chebukati. I trust the honorable judges at the Kakamega Law Courts will deliver justice to our people."
Chebukati attributed the postponement to the harassment of IEC officials at the Bomas of Kenya.
The IEBC chair called for the arrest and prosecution of leaders who perpetrated the attack on two commissioners Commissioners Prof. Abdi Guliye, Boya Molu, and CEO Marjan Marjan.
"During the announcement of the presidential results, Chairman Wafula Chebukati, Commissioners Prof. Abdi Guliye, and Boya Molu, and CS/CEO Marjan H. Marjan were physically attacked, assaulted, and injured by persons in the company of certain political leaders. We call for the arrest and prosecution of these assailants regardless of their political affiliation," he said.