Opposition's NASA leaders at a past media briefing. [Photo|Nasa coalition]IGAD, based on its prior assessment, says it is confident that the IEBC can execute its constitutional mandate to facilitate a free, fair and credible election, in October.The organisation said IEBC must not be crippled from executing fresh poll.In what seemed to be citing threats by the Opposition that it would not participate in the polls, once its irreducible minimum demands are not met, IGAD said boycotting the election would do more to the country."Sabotaging IEBC or boycotting the elections will put Kenya in a constitutional crisis and likely on a path to unconstitutional change of government," said IGAD, Sunday.In a statement, IGAD Executive Secretary Mahboub M. Maalim said the organisation is bound by Article 4 of the AU constitutive Act which condemns unconstitutional change of government as a challenge to the growth of democracy in the region and therefore unacceptable in all circumstances. In line with the position by the African Union, IGAD holds that unconstitutional change of government does not only include military coup d’état; use of mercenaries, rebels or armed dissidents against democratically elected governments; or the refusal by an incumbent government to relinquish power to the winning party after free, fair and periodic elections, but also includes use of violence to undermine constitutionalism and political interference with the constitutional order of a state in order to imperil democratic change of government.IGAD urged all actors in Kenya to reject those who would seek to interfere with the constitutional order by seeking to disrupt or prevent the court-mandated fresh election, thus putting in peril democratic change of government and ushering in a crisis from which unscrupulous actors can seek undemocratic change of government.Mahboub Maalim said IGAD will keep a close eye on developments to inform all its member states and the African Union. "IGAD urges and appeals to the people of Kenya, including political parties and their leadership, plus all constitutional institutions, to jealously safeguard and protect the mode of transfer of power provided for in the constitution of Kenya, and to avoid all statements, provocations and acts that could lead to unconstitutional change of government."At all times, actors in the political, judicial and legislative space should be guided by the Constitution and its underlying commitment to the will of the Kenyan people as expressed in a free and fair election, said Maalim."IGAD is ready to walk with Kenya, shoulder to shoulder, navigating all challenges, as we match towards a peaceful, secure and prosperous IGAD region," he added.

Share news tips with us here at Hivisasa