The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) CEO Ezra Chiloba is not bowing out of the commission, all indications tell so.
He says he is focused on preparing for forthcoming October 26 repeat polls.
“People should focus on preparations for the elections,” he told the Star on Monday.
Asked if he will resign in light of piling pressure by the opposition, he answered: “I have no comment”.
NASA is just about to hold street protests outside Anniversary towers pushing for reforms at the IEBC.
And at the centre of reforms is Chiloba with a team of about 10 other secretariat staff and some commissioners.
NASA says Chiloba is responsible for bungling August 8 polls and cannot be trusted to steer repeat polls.
“We will be there until reforms are effected. The officers who bungled the elections must be sent home before we agree to go into the repeat election,” said NASA co-principal Moses Wetangula.
But Nairobi County Police Commander Japeth Koome said NASA brigade has not notified police yet about the planned protest.
If the protest is declared illegal, it could turn to be ugly as police engage NASA supporters.
On Monday, President Uhuru Kenyatta warned NASA against violence during the protests.
He said should they dare cause chaos in the streets of Nairobi and in other town where the demo will be held, they will know there is a government in-charge.
“We know they have planned demos, tomorrow [Tuesday]. That is their right. But if they try to loot shops, block roads and harass motorists, then they will know there’s a government in power,” charged the President.
In various police stations across the city, anti-riot police were stationed ready to counter the NASA protestors.
Uhuru added that if Raila is not ready for the polls, he should allow those who are willing to continue.
“If he is not ready for the election, let him stay at home and allow those of us who are ready to continue.”
NASA has “12 irreducible minimums” it wants to be implemented before repeat polls.
Besides sacking Chiloba, NAS is demanding change in the printing company and electoral technology provider besides French firm, OT-Morpho.
But the commission has retained Morpho and Al Ghurair but will have them supervised by personnel from the UNDP.
“The UNDP has offered to procure ballot papers and results forms. This assistance is meant to aid restore public confidence and trust in the integrity of the ballot papers and results forms to be used in the fresh elections, as well as address the concerns raised by the Supreme Court,” said Chebukati.
By Pharis Kinyua. He’s an online Journalist and an author for Jamhuri News