ADVERTISEMENT

Kenyatta, Odinga meet after protests over vote body

It gave no details, but one opposition official said before the talks that the IEBC was expected to be on the agenda.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta addresses an audience during the second day of the Giant Club Summit of African leaders and others on tackling poaching of elephants and rhinos at the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club in Nanyuki, Laikipia county, Kenya, Laikipia County, Kenya, April 29, 2016. REUTERS/Siegfried Modola

The violence, more than a year before presidential and parliamentary elections due in August 2017, prompted calls from church leaders and Western diplomats for dialogue in a nation prone to political strife. Fighting after the 2007 election killed 1,200 people.

The opposition has staged regular protests since late April in Nairobi and other cities, accusing the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of bias and demanding it be scrapped. Three people were killed last week in western Kenya.

President Uhuru Kenyatta held a brief meeting in the presidential State House with opposition leader Raila Odinga and the leader of the opposition in the senate, Senator Moses Wetangula, the presidency said in a statement.

ADVERTISEMENT

The announcement of Tuesday's meeting followed last week's decision by the opposition Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD), led by Odinga, to suspend its weekly demonstrations, saying it wanted to give dialogue a chance.

The government has said any changes to the IEBC must be pursued within the provisions of the constitution, which could include a petition to parliament. But parliament is dominated by allies of Kenyatta and a previous bid was thrown out.

For any changes to go through, Kenyatta's Jubilee alliance would have to rally their supporters behind any proposals to reconstitute the electoral body.

Odinga, a former prime minister who lost the 2013 vote to Kenyatta and unsuccessfully challenged the result in court, is expected to run again for the presidency in 2017.

Kenyatta is also expected to seek a second and final term, in a nation where ethnic loyalties usually trump policy at the ballot box.

ADVERTISEMENT

IEBC officials have dismissed the charges of bias and have said they will not quit. The government has accused the opposition of criticising the IEBC because they cannot win via the ballot box.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Siamese twin gets married while still conjoined with her sister

Siamese twin gets married while still conjoined with her sister

LP BoT kicks out Abure despite convention victory, takes over party affairs

LP BoT kicks out Abure despite convention victory, takes over party affairs

6 Labour Party lawmakers defect to PDP in Enugu State

6 Labour Party lawmakers defect to PDP in Enugu State

Tinubu's special assistant donates food items to 1,700 residents in FCT

Tinubu's special assistant donates food items to 1,700 residents in FCT

Anambra PASAN begins strike over Soludo's failure to grant financial autonomy

Anambra PASAN begins strike over Soludo's failure to grant financial autonomy

Governor Sanwo-Olu pays ₦4.48 billion to 1,455 retirees in accrued pensions

Governor Sanwo-Olu pays ₦4.48 billion to 1,455 retirees in accrued pensions

Court discharges ex-AGF Adoke, 6 others in Malabu oil scam case

Court discharges ex-AGF Adoke, 6 others in Malabu oil scam case

Nigerians are expected to pay for TV licences — here’s what the law says

Nigerians are expected to pay for TV licences — here’s what the law says

BEDC management denies rumours of dissolution, increases revenue

BEDC management denies rumours of dissolution, increases revenue

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT