The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has written to Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to disqualify Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino from contesting in the August 9 polls for “planning violence” at Jacaranda Grounds on Sunday.

Through its Secretary-General Veronica Maina, the party said Babu is holding his opponent’s campaigns hostage contrary to the Constitution and the IEBC Code of Conduct.

“His approach is confrontational and militant in nature and action must be taken against Babu Owino, including your commission considering disqualifying him from participating in the race.

“This is the only way the commission can send a strong message to the likes of Babu Owino to desist from ever making such an ill-motivated move,” Maina wrote in a letter to IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati.

UDA wants IEBC to take action against ODM, Azimio

The party further asked Chebukati to act against Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Azimio la Umoja coalition for “misusing” the National Police Service.

“The sequence and flow of these events will only lead to a straightforward conclusion that the National Police Service is being used, misused, and abused by the ODM Party/Azimio Coalition to create tension and cause significant interference with peaceful campaigning within Embakasi East Constituency and ultimately to the entire Republic of Kenya.

“The blatant use of Babu Owino’s letterhead clearly overemphasis his overreaching and unacceptable abuse of the National Police Service in blocking our candidates from holding his peaceful campaign meeting scheduled for June 19, 2022,” Maina added.

The party also asked the electoral body to summon Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai to explain what transpired at Jacaranda Grounds on Sunday.

“You must summon the IG with great speed to discuss their role and specific functions during electioneering and campaign period.

“They must not accept to be used by Azimio and ODM political divide. They must remember that Kenya Kwanza stands a higher chance of winning the upcoming presidential election hence the need for them to remain active in a restrained fashion and to remain neutral, as this will make it easier for them to serve under any political divide which takes over power in 2022,” she stated.