Kidero calls on IEBC to outlaw ‘night campaigns’
ByNairobi County Governor Evans Kidero has asked the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to take stern action on candidates who are conducting their campaigns at night.
Addressing journalists on Saturday at Kariobangi North Seventh Day Adventist Church in Nairobi, Dr Kidero accused his opponents of breaking the rules laid down by the IEBC regarding stipulated times for political campaigns and urged the commission to crack the whip.
“The rules are very clear that the latest time people should campaign is 6pm. Action should be taken against those who violate this rule,” said Dr Kidero.
The governor, however, did not mention anyone by name only saying that the politicians he was talking about are fighting for the Nairobi governorship seat.
“The electoral commission knows them, you people know them and the police also know them. They campaign at night and sleep during the day,” he said.
INSECURITY
He said that the trend should not be allowed to continue as it is a recipe for chaos and also might expose the county to insecurity calling on the police to intervene to avert any unfortunate outcome.
“IEBC should take note that there are people who are campaigning at night and this could be a source of insecurity.
“In Nairobi we want peace as it is the epicenter of the country. In the last four years we have not seen any demonstration in the county because the county government believes in peace and has brought people together,” said the governor.
Governor Kidero also waded into the allegations leveled against National Super Alliance (Nasa) presidential candidate Raila Odinga by Jubilee Party leaders that he propagated hate speech during his tour of Kajiado County.
He dismissed the claims asking Mr Odinga’s critics to focus on selling their agenda rather than running a smear campaign.
IDEOLOGIES
“Raila is a peace loving leader and he embraces all citizens. In his leadership he has brought together all the 42 tribes and in all his political utterances he has always urged Kenyans to live in peace. Let them focus on selling their manifesto and ideologies,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party Nairobi County chairman and Makadara Constituency parliamentary candidate George Aladwa has asked Jubilee politicians to desist from remarks that could fuel chaos and violence in the country.
“I want to tell Duale (Aden) and other Jubilee leaders that we will not tolerate anyone abusing our leader. We will not allow other leaders to continue haling insults at Raila. We should maintain peace during the campaign period,” said Mr Aladwa.
He hit out at Jubilee Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju telling him to concentrate on selling his party’s policies and not attacking Mr Odinga.
“I would like to remind Tuju that he is just a Secretary General of Jubilee Party and is not contesting for any seat. Let Raila and Uhuru (Kenyatta) face each other as they are fighting for the same seat,” he said.