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President William Ruto termed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s demands for the opening of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) servers as unconstitutional.
Speaking in Nakuru County on Friday, March 3, the Head of State explained that he did not have the legal mandate to open the servers despite Azimio la Umoja brigade’s push.
Therefore, he advised the ODM boss to seek legal redress on the matter.
“I have told Raila to stop disturbing me with issues with the server. There is nowhere in the law that states that the President should open the server. I do not have time to open the server.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga addresses a meeting with Muslim Clerics in Nairobi on March 2, 2023.
Raila Odinga
“Let us respect the rule of law. Do not make demands that are unconstitutional, that are extra-legal and extra-judicial. We will follow the law. So if they want, let them go and make a law on who should open the servers,” he stated.
He also noted that he was focusing on reviving the economy and would not be distracted by the calls of the opposition.
“I told him that the servers were opened long ago. Where was he? The server was opened during the elections. Didn’t you find your biometrics when you went to vote? Where was he?
“Our focus is on the economy and that is what we are doing,” he stated.
Ruto’s response came days after Raila indicated that he would be open to holding talks with the Head of State provided that three demands were met.
Raila’s demands revolved around the IEBC servers, the recruitment of IEBC Commissioners and the cost of living. The ODM boss gave the conditions during an interview on KTN News on February 28.
“He must agree to open the server. Secondly, stop the recruitment of IEBC commissioners and the third is the issue of the cost of living in the country. Kenyans are suffering, some cannot buy bread.
“If Ruto knows he won the elections why does he fear opening the servers,” he posed.
Meanwhile, Azimio la Umoja is set to hold mass demonstrations in Nairobi on Wednesday, March 8, over the high cost of living.
Azimio principals led by Raila Odinga at Jevanjee garden during the National Prayer Day on February 22, 2023
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Raila Odinga
