History might repeat itself if CORD’s protests continue

The row over IEBC has intensified. The opposition lived up to its threat to storm the agency's offices nationwide in a bid to push out the commissioners.

CORD's top officials carried out their demonstrations despite warnings from the government that they would not be allowed to.

The demonstration turned out to be chaotic as CORD’s top officials battled with the police. The police used tear gas to quell the situation as the civilians threw stones at them.

Their attempt a fortnight ago was also met with a similar reaction. The commissioners led by Chairman Issack Hassan have vowed to stay put.

They are threatening to discipline the coalition for breaching electoral laws.

The IEBC is suffering a credibility loss with its top leaders being implicated in top-level corruption.

The officials were laid bare in a high-profile anti-bribery case. Local investigation into the scandal has been marked by sloth, indifference and interference by the government which has tended to shield the officials against all accusations.

A large section of the political class is at odds with IEBC. Besides, religious organizations have also called for its disbandment.

Despite all these, the campaign against IEBC is premised on a wrong approach. Mass protests although a constitutional right, are bound to lead to violence.

Even so, managing elections is a political process and laws exist that govern the commission’s operation including the way the commissioners can be removed.

As currently constituted, the commission cannot be trusted to carry out credible elections. We have the dubious history of violence occasioned by an election bungled by a discredited referee in 2007.

We as Kenyans risk going back there if action is not taken. This is the reason I am asking the government to call on national dialogue on electoral reforms. And also to create conditions where all players go to the polls with the confidence that the referee is believable.

This will lead to outcomes which are acceptable. The hard stance of both the government and the opposition is foolhardy. We should give national dialogue a chance.