Kenya, Nairobi- President, Uhuru Kenyatta says the fresh Kenyan presidential elections scheduled for October 26th, 2017 will proceed as planned. Kenyatta made the assurance at a media briefing in Nairobi State House on Wednesday morning.

He explained that on August 8th, Kenyans elected their leaders in very peaceful and free and fair polls, which was overturned by the Supreme Court, saying the polls were marred by irregularities. “The path since the Supreme Court decision fellow Kenyans hasn’t been easy for our country,” he said.

President Uhuru said that as they walk to the path of the repeat polls, his government has decided that all Kenyans engage in an extended period of prayer and dedication this weekend. “After consultations with religious leaders, I have reached this decision, to call on all Kenyans to pray for the country in their mosques, churches and temples culminating in the day of national prayer on Sunday,” he said.

Adding that “Let us begin by thanking God for seeing us this far. Let us rededicate our country to God and ask him to abide with us and guide us in this time and the period to come.” He asked Kenyans to pray for their leaders across the political divide that they may be granted wisdom and humility.

The press conference came a few hours after Roselyn Akombe, one of the Commissioners from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commissions resigned her seat, questioning the credibility of the repeat polls.

“My decision to leave the IEBC will disappoint some of you, but it is not for lack of trying. I have tried the best I could do given the circumstances. Sometimes, you walk away, especially when potentially lives are at stake. The Commission has become a party to the current crisis. The Commission is under siege.” Akombe said in a statement.

Adding that, “The Commission in its current state can surely not guarantee a credible election on 26 October 2017. I don’t want to be party to such a mockery to electoral integrity.”

Akombe said it has become increasingly difficult to appear on television to defend positions she disagrees with in the name of collective responsibility. “I have concluded that I am no longer making any significant contribution to the Commission and to my country as a Commissioner.”