With elections just around the corner, although it’s belated, there is still time for parliament and senators to interrogate IEBC’s ability to conduct free and fair elections. The IEBC chairman has very little assurances coming from his pronouncements.
With the chicken gate accusations, the top IEBC management has lost moral authority to run such a sensitive body that can disrupt our country’s progress. The IEBC commissioners have lately portrayed a picture of people out of touch with reality and have become drivers of a vehicle they cannot control. That valuable time, is spent on damage control, shows something is not right. Kenyans are tired of an election body that lives on denial and offering false promises.
The complaints of malpractices and alleged irregularities from the recent by elections in Malindi and Kericho are an indictment that the IEBC status quo cannot be allowed. Not only is it a threat to the stability of this country but may come to haunt the current government. It’s like rearing a snake for protection only for the snake to turnaround and fatally bite the owner.
An election process that can be manipulated is not only a threat to the opposition but the incumbent government!
Our legislators must impartially and as a matter of urgency revisit IEBC in terms of personal and system preparedness, validation of ongoing voter registrations and integrity of voters.
The IEBC top management must be vetted a fresh for competency. IEBC Operation plans and Budgets for the period leading up to the next elections should be evaluated by election experts and contingency plans put in place.
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IEBC is yet to demonstrate zero tolerance for election malpractices and this is an area of concern. As elections draw near, the parliament, senate and independent stakeholder interest groups should carry out monthly assessment of IEBC activities so that all challenges, deficiencies and shortcomings are addressed.
A separate and independent body with prosecuting powers may have to be set up to investigate arrest and charge those engaging in election malpractices such as voter bribery and violence.
This will allow IEBC to focus on its systems and process to deliver timely, free and fair elections. Our nation is dependent on how IEBC conducts itself and nothing should be left for chance. Time is of essence.
