IEBC Impasse Can Only be Resolved Through the Constitution, Says Uhuru

President Uhuru Kenyatta has reiterated that he will abide by the law regarding the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as he led the country in its 14th annual National Prayer Breakfast organised by Parliament.

This year’s theme was trust.

The president said, “We cannot force things to change all the time because of our own interests; that is selfish. We fought so hard for the new constitution; let us go by its teaching. ”

“When I took office, I promised to obey and follow the constitution. That is the legacy that I want to build. I will live by the constitution, whether it works in my favor or not, “he added.

The President said the Constitution was fought for and the country would not be where it was if its fore fathers were selfish; ‘they fought for something greater’. Instead, he said leaders should be addressing other pressing social economic things that will positively transform the lives of Kenyans.

The president was responding to calls from the opposition, Coalition For Reforms and Democracy (CORD) to reconstitute the electoral body ahead of the 2017 General Elections.

Similarly, during the Madaraka Day celebrations, the president urged leaders to abide by the national covenant. The covenant is the spirit of our Constitution, breathing life into the letter of the law. Equally, constitutionalism is the practice of ordering our politics by the letter and the spirit of the Constitution. If you love this country, then you will obey both the letter of its laws, and the covenant that inspired them.”

Read: President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Speech on Madaraka Day

The prayer session brought together leaders from across the political divide, government officials, religious leaders and members of the diplomatic corps.

CORD has accused IEBC commissioners of corruption in relation to the improper procurement of BVR kits in the run-up to the 2013 election and an apparent plan to rig the 2017 General Election in favor of President Uhuru Kenyatta, claims that the Issack Hassan-led commission has refuted.

Read:

The Future of Kenya: The IEBC Saga

An Overall Look at the State of the Nation Address

The Purpose of the prayers was to pray for the country of Kenya. The Vice President urged Kenyan leaders to work together as one adding that God appointed them to be leaders at this particular time with a reason. He said that the coming elections will be conducted freely and fairly.