PRESS STATEMENT
AUGUST 21, 2017
JUBILEE NOW BLACKMAILING NASA CANDIDATES:
The Jubilee Administration is putting pressure on NASA candidates who were rigged out of elections to concede defeat to their Jubilee opponents. The most affected candidates are those who ran for gubernatorial elections and were defending their respective seats in the general election. Many of them had planned to file election petitions to contest and annul the election of opponents.
The most disturbing feature of this arbitrary political pressure to concede defeat is that it involves threats and intimidation particularly by waving the spectre of prosecution, unwarranted and excessive tax assessments and demands, and interference with legitimate business or other enterprises.
The Jubilee administration is also extracting statements from some NASA elected leaders to make pronouncements to the effect that they are going to work with the Government. Article 6(2) of the Constitution is clear on how devolved governments should work vis-a-vis the national government.
As NASA, we had noted the strange and odd wins in several counties including Garissa, Machakos, Nairobi, Narok, Kajiado, Wajir and Marsabit, where a computer-generated formula, using the same algorithm, unlawfully and fraudulently secured victories for Jubilee candidates who purportedly ended up winning seats by similar percentages.
Jubilee is deeply insecure and worried about its own survival, knowing well that it lacks the mandate of the people. The regime knows every court case will expose the fraud that it is and is therefore willing to go to all lengths, including blackmail, to secure consent, endorsement and a semblance of legitimacy.
We condemn the arbitrary and unlawful exercise of executive authority and intimidation by persistently waving the aura of tyranny of numbers. This is no different from the crude democracy and backward model of “election” used by KANU at its lowest rock bottom nadir in Kenya’s political universe. This is political action by what looks like soft power, but it is no different from the brutal and illegal invasion and attack meted against civil society organisations and the destruction of NASA tallying centers in recent weeks.
NASA maintains that no elections in Kenya have been as scandalous and controversial as this year’s and we are determined to prove it in court and through other legal avenues. Jubilee must not panic or resort to guerilla tactics if it really won.
We are happy that our members have stood firm against these despicable and unlawful actions and supposed overtures that are meant to reduce the democratic space and introduce a monolithic and authoritarian system of government.
Kenya is not ready to allow the state, and Jubilee for that matter, to roll back the democratic gains the country has made, solidified by the enactment of the Constitution of Kenya 2010. We ask the Kenyan people, patriots, to remain resilient and firm in defending democracy.
Hon Musalia Mudavadi;
Chairman
NASA National Campaign Committee.
