NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 25 — Azimio leader Raila Odinga was expected in Kakamega and Trans Nzoia counties on Saturday as in an escalation of anti-government meetings over the impending recruitment of new electoral commission members.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Baraza inspected Amalemba Grounds on Friday in readiness of Odinga’s visit even as the attendance of key leaders remained uncertain.
In Trans Nzoia where Odinga was expected to take his defiance campaign Governor George Natembeya, who has been warming up to President William Ruto’s government, there were no elaborate plans.
Natembeya’s attendance was unclear despite indications his party leader, Eugene Wamalwa, would accompany Odinga.
During a public rally in Nairobi on Wednesday, Odinga gave a 14-day ultimatum for Ruto to suspend the recruitment of a panel to be tasked with the hiring of new electoral commission members threatening mass action if his demands are not met.
The recruitment of the panel followed the declaration of seven vacancies in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
The slots became vacant after the tenure of three commissioners — Wafula Chebukati (Chairperson), Boya Molu and Yakub Guliye — came to and end.
Three others — Juliana Cherera (Vice Chairperson), Francis Wanderi and Justus Nyang’aya — resigned after Ruto appointed a tribunal to probe their conduct.
Cherera, Wanderi and Nyang’aya were part of a dissenting faction which included Irene Masit that disowned the outcome of the presidential election.
Odinga’s upscaled political activities and his continued insistence that he will not recognize Ruto as President came days after he was dropped as African Union Commission’s Infrastructure Envoy.
