IEBC in the eye of the storm as it conducts its first poll since set up

IEBC chairman Erustus Ethekon with commissioner Anne Nderitu at JKIA Nairobi after receiving first batch of ballot papers for the 27th November by elections.[Collins Oduor/Standard]

In exactly five days, the reconstituted Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will face its first litmus test when it supervises 27 by-elections spread across the country.

The management and results of these mini polls will signpost the electoral body's preparedness and credibility ahead of the 2027 General Election.

While the commission has admitted that the task ahead is not a walk in the park, it has been quick to allay fears that the polls will not reflect the true aspirations of the people.

But opposition politicians and their parties are unconvinced and have expressed fears that IEBC has failed to ensure a level playing ground for the players engaged in the by-election, casting aspersions on the commission's ability to break the jinx of the former commissioners.

The Opposition, led by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka maintains that IEBC started its work on a wrong foot; from the process that led to the constitution of commission, to its first assignment on continuous voter registration, the contracting of the biometric voter kits for the upcoming by elections, and monitoring of campaigns by the players ahead of next Thursday's mini polls.

According to the Opposition, the reconstituted commission has done little in sealing the gaps that have, in the past been, used to manipulate the outcome of the polls and has failed to restore public trust.

"We had hoped the new commissioners would take office with a single-minded determination to restore IEBC's credibility. But so far, the signs are not as reassuring as Kenyans deserve. It is time for the commission to step up for the sake of our democracy, our stability, and the faith of every voter," Kalonzo said.

The concerns raised by the Opposition include failure by the commission to engage the public and provide the civic education necessary for a smooth and inclusive voter registration exercise.

The members of the Opposition further complain IEBC has failed to explain how the iris scanning works and its desire in introducing it as a mandatory requirement despite the move creating a voter register with two standards, risking what they term as raising real questions about fairness and consistency.

"Limiting voter registration to constituency offices during working hours only, and excluding weekends is unfair to many Kenyans. Workers, teachers, students, and young people simply cannot access these services in such a short window. IEBC must therefore change this model and carry out voter registration over the remaining period, on all days of the week and at the ward level, not the constituency level," Kalonzo said.

Kalonzo also wants the IEBC to be clear and open about where registration kits and personnel are deployed, including the unique identifiers of each kit and their locations.

The Wiper leader expressed fear that IEBC was still being manipulated by the government even as he revisited the manner in which the commission was established, claiming it was a political process that did not consult the broader political players.

"For many years, the IEBC has struggled to earn the trust of Kenyans. Sadly, the new commission has not fully escaped this challenge. The way it was appointed, skipping the spirit of consultation and concurrence that the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) stood for, has left many feeling that IEBC is still not above political influence," he said.

While maintaining that the commission was mandated to ensure the credibility of the forthcoming by-elections and the 2027 general election, Kalonzo said that the electoral cycle starts with registration, a key area that the commission needed to focus on.

"An election does not need cheating on voting day to be stolen. It can be stolen quietly... in the shadows... during registration where oversight is weakest," he noted.

Democratic Party (DP) leader and former Attorney General Justin Muturi has also written to the commission over a scheme he said is meant to corrupt the Mbeere North by-election and demanded that the commission stops the electoral breach in the constituency.

"We write to protest the planned use of armed goons from Nairobi and Thika, among other areas in favour of the UDA candidate with involvement of National Government Administration officers under the escort and command of National Police Service in civilian clothes. We have information that there are already plans to invade selected polling centres in the strongholds of our candidate with the aim of suppressing and disrupting voting on polling day," the letter received yesterday by the commission read in part.

Muturi also alleged massive voter bribery by Government allies and claimed that the electorate had been directed to take photos of their ballot papers so as to get Sh5000 in return, which is against the principle of secret ballot in elections.

The purpose of this letter is therefore to bring to your attention the above plans to deny voters a free, fair, credible and verifiable election. We call upon your commission to put in place measures to redress these evil and illegal machinations and update us on the measures taken," the letter read.

The Government side, led by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, has also accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of resorting to purchasing identity cards belonging to people in areas where UDA party candidate Leo wa Muthende is popular in bid to suppress him.

"Gachagua has resorted to unorthodox means to suppress UDA's voter turnout in areas where we have massive support so that his candidate can overshadow ours. They are now buying national identity cards after they were chased by the electorate," Ruku said as he campaigned for the Government's candidate.

Despite the claims and counterclaims by both the Government and the Opposition, the commission remains upbeat that, although the task ahead was difficult, they would sail through the turbulence and deliver accountable polls.

"This is a test ahead for us but, upon appointment, we, the IEBC commissioners, took oath of office and we assured that we would do everything possible to ensure that elections will be successful," IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon said.