PRESS RELEASE
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press,
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Wiper Democratic Movement-Kenya meeting today at the party headquarters resolved as follows:
1. OPPOSITION UNITY
The Wiper Democratic Movement – Kenya reiterates its commitment towards Opposition Unity. We are determined to forge one united front with our partner parties – the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Ford – Kenya, the Amani National Congress (ANC) and all other progressive political parties – to face and uproot the failed Jubilee regime in the forthcoming general elections.
In this regard, Wiper as well as all its partners are working on putting up a governance structure to manage the affairs of the unity process and ensure the success of the Opposition Coalition. Wiper will therefore propose a blueprint to include a governance and management structure, a framework which will serve as a roadmap towards naming the Coalition’s flag-bearer by end of March, 2017 and an agenda for Kenya’s transformation.
We therefore urge all Kenyans to continue giving their unqualified political and moral support as we work towards redeeming this country from the rampant corruption, blatant tribalism and the gross ineptitude being perpetrated by the Jubilee regime. Together, we shall overcome!
2. ONGOING VOTER MOBILISATION/REGISTRATION
The Wiper Democratic Movement – Kenya is disturbed over the discrepancies in the Mass Voter Registration (MVR II) drive. Reports of anomalies and acute capacity gaps are grossly undermining the optimisation of the Mass Voter Registration drive. The biting shortage and reported breakdown of the Biometric Voter Registration kit particularly in opposition strongholds is an unacceptable attempt to subvert the will of the people through deliberate and premeditated disenfranchisement.
The IEBC must acknowledge that elections are decided through voter mobilisation during registration and turnout on the material day. It is foolhardy for the IEBC to expect to update us on the ongoing voters registration drive while not comprehensively addressing the capacity gaps and the concerns raised by the various leaders of the opposition coalition.
In the spirit of building a common front and according the new IEBC commissioners’ an opportunity towards having a process that enjoys the legitimacy of all parties, the IEBC must convene a stakeholders’ forum within the next 10 days to enable all stakeholders forge a united front in the election management process including the ongoing Mass Voters Registration drive. As a party and coalition, we feel it proper to extend an olive branch to the new commissioners that might assist to resolve all outstanding issues.
If the Wiper Democratic Movement – Kenya and the Coalition is not satisfied with the overall management of the election process, we reserve the right to pursuing proposals and interventions aimed at securing a free, fair and transparent electoral process that genuinely reflects the will of the people.
The anomalies, gaps and evidently deliberate sabotage by the Jubilee government points more and more to the unlikelihood of a free, fair and transparent election in August. If the IEBC is unable to restore confidence in the election management process through Executive interference, we are becoming increasingly persuaded that only a Caretaker government can offer a promise to a free, fair and transparent electoral process that accords with the Constitution.
3. PRESIDENT UHURU KENYATTA’S THREATS TO OPPOSITION
Wiper Democratic Movement-Kenya notes with concern the threats by President Uhuru Kenyatta to Opposition leaders. It is not in the place of the President to threaten the arrest of competitors. Let President Kenyatta appreciate that he is a candidate like any other for the purposes of the electioneering process.
While we do not condone violence, Wiper would like to state categorically that the only sure way to avoid violence is through a free, fair and credible general election. Anything short of that will not suffice. Kenyans cannot afford another stolen election. Not ever again! The President and his Jubilee Party can only guarantee peace and stability of this country is by ensuring that the forthcoming election meet the constitutional requirement of a free, fair and transparent election that genuinely reflects the free and sovereign will of the people.
The Wiper Democratic Movement – Kenya and the Opposition believes that peace and stability are key to the sustenance of our democracy and development of our nation. Our history demonstrates that incidental to a peaceful, secure and united Kenya is a free, fair and transparent elections that genuinely reflects the will of the people.
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