The Independent, Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is living beyond its sell-by date. The sooner its leadership packs its bags and exits from the stage the better for this nation. In recent years, Kenyans have expressed negative perceptions about this crucial institution, with a recent poll indicating that less than half the population has confidence in the institution. Most observers believe it is vital for IEBC to win back the confidence of Kenyans on its ability to conduct free and fair elections.
IEBC’s ability to conduct a credible General Election will significantly impact on the stability of this country. With heightened political temperatures nearly two years to the polls, there is every indication that the next General Election will be hotly contested in an acrimonious atmosphere, at both national and county levels. There are threats of every nature being thrown around by all parties flexing their muscles. The recent by-elections have revealed blatant impunity by political parties engaging in voter bribery, intimidation and growing use of threats and violence.
In the 2013 election manned by the same team, the BVR electronic system collapsed midstream, nearly putting the election in jeopardy. Now, the Public Accounts Committee tells us that the whole procurement system of the BVRs was riddled with massive corruption. Earlier, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) had commenced investigation into the ‘Chickengate’ scam involving some of the leadership at IEBC. The PAC report reveals an institution bereft of integrity that cannot be trusted with this crucial exercise that will define the lives of Kenyans for a long time to come. In fact, PAC wants an audit of all ICT equipment acquired by this outfit just in case we might end with some junk on the next election date!
There are over eight million Kenyans to be registered before the next General Election; IEBC has been able to register only a dismal 1.4 million in the last mass registration. The voter apathy is partly due to perceptions about the institution itself where voters sometimes do not find their names in the registers. Lopsided distribution of logistics equipment and staffing also affected the registration in some areas. The institution lacks the capacity to assess its abilities and critically appraise itself internally to remedy some of its weaknesses. After the 2013 poll, it announced an internal postmortem of its actions but little has come out of it.
But can this team be trusted to deliver on its mandate? Often, it barks but has rarely taken credible actions against political parties that flout the law with impunity. Similarly, it does not find any fault with its own staff or members engaged in unprofessional or unbecoming conduct. The PAC report found several of its top staff culpable, as did the EACC in 2013. Yet, the commission did not discover any of these irregularities, nor take action internally on its errant team. Sadly, how could it when its top leadership stands indicted!
There are growing concerns about the independence of the institution and its cosy relationship with the Executive. It is this perception about lack of independence that will raise political temperatures and cast the process in doubt.
This country lost a great deal when the IEBC’s predecessor developed thick skin and became immune to public criticisms about their performance and nearly sunk this nation into anarchy. It is becoming increasingly clear that the tell-tale signs are all too evident. We are taking the same path unless we change course.
Parliament and political parties should urgently pursue a bi-partisan dialogue to chart the way forward in getting a new team in place to steer the process towards a credible General Election.
