IEBC’s tenure under threat as Kanu joins push for its disbandment

The tenure of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is under immense threat with more political protagonists joining the push for its disbandment.

The commission’s performance has been under constant attack from both Jubilee and the opposition Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) with both parties questioning its ability to handle the 2017 General Election.

Allegations of incompetence, lack of credibility and partiality have haunted the electoral body since the 2013 elections with CORD unsuccessfully filing a petition at the Supreme Court after they were dissatisfied with IEBC’s announcement of Uhuru Kenyatta as President.

The coalition has since begun the process of removing the IEBC and effecting several other changes in the Constitution through the Okoa Kenya referendum push which is in the signature verification stage.

The exercise has put IEBC in a conundrum since it is mandated by the Constitution, to carry out the signature verification process, which may annul its existence.

Jubilee has also raised concerns over the just concluded voter registration process saying IEBC favoured CORD strongholds at the expense of Jubilee, allegations that IEBC has vehemently refuted.

Speaking last week in Garissa, National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale claimed that IEBC is not fit to handle the 2017 General Election adding that the just concluded Malindi by-election is a pointer at the inefficiency in the commission.

The Garissa Township MP noted that the handling of the Malindi by-election should not be replicated in any other elections since it was marred by cases of voter bribery, intimidation and violence – irregularities that he pinned on members of the opposition.

The entry of Kanu in the push for the disbandment of IEBC provides an impetus in the already growing force against the commission that may turn the scale to the disadvantage of the commission.

Speaking on Citizen TV’s Cheche on Wednesday, Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat said they are dissatisfied with the commission’s handling of the Kericho by-election accusing IEBC of condoning election malpractices.

Kanu’s case against IEBC

Salat accused IEBC of looking the other way as the Jubilee leaders used state machinery in campaigns with Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter, who is prohibited from participating in active politics according to the Political Parties Act, on the forefront to drum up support for Jubilee candidate Aaron Cheruiyot.

Kanu has also poked holes at the transmission of results questioning why results in Kericho County were relayed faster than Malindi, which is a smaller entity – a constituency.

In a quick rejoinder, however, David Makali, a TV panellist and IEBC consultant however said that it was inaccurate to compare results transmission for a County and a Constituency saying Malindi should be compared to a constituency in Kericho.

The Kanu Secretary General also faulted the system used in the by-election saying it doubled the results of their candidate Paul Sang and reflected it as Aaron Cheruiyot’s.

ODM Chairman John Mbadi has urged the country against ignoring the issues raised by Kanu saying there should be transformations at the IEBC before the next election.

He concurred with Salat over the duplication of results saying a similar case was reported in the 2013 elections with spoilt votes.

Mbadi welcomed Kanu to join in the push for the disbandment of IEBC to ensure the next elections are free and fair.

@benjaminwafula