August 8 polls to go on as scheduled – CJ David Maraga

Chief Justice, David Maraga, on Thursday, June 22 affirmed that the August 8, 2017 General Election will not be postponed as a result of the numerous court cases that could possibly challenge the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) from executing its mandates in time.

According to the Chief Justice, who was speaking during the launch of constructing a Ksh 367 million court building in Homa Bay town, the Judiciary will ensure that the poll related cases before courts have been solved on time and that the nature of their rulings will not hinder the country from holding elections as stipulated in the 2010 Constitution, the second Tuesday of August in every fifth year.

Maraga’s comments come amid the National Super Alliance (NASA) moving to court to contest the awarding of the Ksh 2.5 billion ballot paper printing tender to Dubai-based firm, Al-Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company, while an individual has filed an appeal against High Court ruling that gave Machakos gubernatorial candidate Wavinya Ndeti the green-light to contest in August.

“We know that at least 45 days before the election IEBC should have the official final list of candidates so that they can print the ballot papers. As the Judiciary we don’t want to tamper with that process because you know there is no choice of not holding elections on 8^th of August. We will work together smartly to ensure that Kenyans go to polls in the date required by law,” said the CJ.

He, however, called upon Kenyans to maintain peace before, during and after the election and desist from being used by a section of rogue politicians to use chaos at their benefit.