IEBC’s internal turmoil risks Kenya another election

Unlike flavors of ice cream, Kenya has only one electoral management body that is recognized by the constitution; The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission- IEBC.

However, it is faced with a strenuous task of organizing fresh presidential election, after the highest court in the land nullified August 8th Presidential results. This has not been a walk in the park for IEBC’s Chairperson, Mr. Wafula Chebukati and his fellow Commissioners.

A leaked internal Memo from Wafula Chebukati to the commission secretary C.E.O, Ezra Chiloba, exposes massive irregularities within the commission. The chairman, in the memo, is demanding answers on 12 concerns, majorly violations of electoral procedures in results transmission.

This puts IEBC on the spot. Since National Super Alliance (NASA), won the Supreme Court petition, the focus has been on IEBC to conduct fresh poll within 60 days. Even after the commission announced that the re-run will be on October 17th, questions on its credibility have been emerging from every corner.

A project team set up by IEBC chairperson to manage the October 17 election has been rejected by NASA and Jubilee. This move by the chairperson sidelines Mr Chiloba and his colleagues. The question whether the commission, in its current state, will be able to deliver a free and fair fresh poll is still something to debate about.

If the commission succeeds in organizing fresh elections, what kind of elections will that be? Such questions continue to complicate and throw this country in limbo.

The trust in the commission by the public is deteriorating. If the internal divisions continue, then IEBC could be risking Kenya another election. Kenya can’t afford another round of uncertainty because of elections; it is hurting the country’s economy. However, the constitution does not give clear guidelines of what can happen if IEBC is by any reason unable to conduct the election within the 60 days.