Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has claimed that there are plans by the government to postpone the August 9, 2022, General Elections.
Speaking on Citizen TV's Day Break show on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, Malala made the allegations following reluctance to resign by a section of civil servants seeking elective office.
Also appearing on the show was Public Service and Gender Ministry Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Beatrice Elachi, who failed to clarify on when she will resign to begin campaigns. This prompted Malala's allegations.
He stated that opinion polls have been conducted across the country and it has been realised that ODM Leader Raila Odinga does to have the numbers to win the elections yet.
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"These CSs and CASs are uncertain on when they will resign because there is a plot to postpone the general elections in August," the Kakamega Senator stated.
"The government wants to use the BBI bill which is before the Supreme Court to postpone the elections. They want the Supreme Court to overturn the ruling by the Court of Appeal.
"After that, they will tell IEBC, they need their 70 constituencies, and several other things they will want done within that timeline, hence postpone the elections," Malala claimed.
The Kakamega lawmaker maintained that the hope of the BBI ruling being reversed is the main reason why civil servants seeking elective office are yet to resign.
It is not the first time the country has had claims that the government is plotting to postpone the August general polls.
In September 2021, a case was filed at the High Court seeking to postpone the general elections to 2023 citing lack of a substantive Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The case was filed by former nominated Senator Paul Njoroge who argued that key procurements for election materials will not be undertaken lawfully due to the lack of a CEO.
He also argued that IEBC was not properly constituted when it gave directions on the tendering and procurement process for the various hardware and software materials as well as personnel to be deployed in the 2022 Presidential Election.
“As at the time the 1st Respondent made the declaration, decision and/or direction for the tendering and procurement of various hardware and software materials and personnel to be deployed in and/or engaged in the said intended Presidential Election of 9th August 2022 it was improperly constituted as it did not have a substantive Chief Executive Officer/Secretary,” read the petition.
Deputy President William Ruto and leaders allied to him have since opposed any plans to postpone the polls.
