United States and European Union speaks against Jubilee Party
Ambassadors have opposed changes to the electoral law so close to the October polls saying it is against the global best practice.They said the proposed amendments to the Elections Act and Elections Offences Act should be shelved.Speaking on Monday, October 2, US Ambassador Robert Godec said Jubilee’s move is ill timed and would undermine the preparations of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s preparations.“Best practice does not allow law review just before polls. Both political sides; Jubilee and the National Super Alliance should engage in genuine talks with the IEBC and stop making unreasonable demands. The IEBC needs to be given space and time and not be paralysed,” said Godec.Raila Odinga on Friday said the two bills the Jubilee Party has tabled in the National Assembly were “retrogressive”.NASA leaders are strongly opposed to the amendment, saying that Jubilee is setting the stage for the rigging of the fresh poll.But President Uhuru Kenyatta, while campaigning in Busia on Friday, defended the amendments insisting that they are meant to correct mistakes pointed out during the August 8 General Election.Godec further said that Jubilee’s Election Laws (Amendments) Bill puts at risk the ability to conduct elections within the set timeline and cause unnecessary political tensions.“The international community is watching Kenya in every step of its electoral process,” added Godec.On Thursday he noted that the repeat presidential poll slated for October 17 had seen exponential outbreak of “fake news,” that was raising political temperatures.