President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto have hit out at the Judiciary accusing it of trying to scuttle August 8 polls.
The President said the courts have been delivering rulings that are aimed at delaying the forthcoming polls.
“You cannot claim independence and use it to interfere with the functioning of the Executive and other arms of Government,” said the President in a statement by PSCU.
He stated that they have been silent with the happenings in the Judiciary but cannot hold it anymore with the rulings being delivered.
“We have respected you for too long but do not take our silence as cowardice. We will not allow our competitors to use the courts to intimidate the IEBC.”
Uhuru spoke two days after the High Court stopped the printing of Presidential ballot papers by Dubai based firm, Al Ghurair.
The President took issue with Chief Justice David Maraga who he accused of hurdling the process of election preparation.
He said the CJ issued the order to have ballot printing halted until a case lodged with the court is heard and determined.
But, he stated, elections will still go on as scheduled on August 8 whether NASA likes it or not.
He also dismissed claims by the opposition that Jubilee was working in cahoots with Al Ghurair to facilitate rigging by stuffing ballot papers in ballot boxes.
“This is the first government that is serving a term that is less than five years. If we wanted to rig elections we would have started by demanding that we serve five years but we have accepted that because we want democracy to prevail,” said the President.
Ruto on his part questioned why Maraga issued the directive even before the three-Judge bench appointed to hear the case conclusively heard it and ruled on it.
“We are asking the CJ, what does it mean when the CJ gives directions that the IEBC should not print ballot papers?” said the DP.
He maintained that IEBC should be allowed to execute its Constitutional mandate.
“Do not conspire with those who are not ready for elections. The IEBC must respect its Constitutional duty to hold elections as stipulated.”