KAIKAI KICKER: IEBC CEO Marjan should worry about two things only; simple questions and manner of exit

On my Kicker tonight, I congratulate the newly appointed IEBC Chief Executive Officer Marjan Hussein Marjan on his appointment and offer some totally unsolicited advice to the IEBC boss.

And my advice will not be as high minded as to attempt complex issues like claims by politicians that there are plans to rig the elections in August. I won’t go there. My advice to CEO Marjan is worry about two things only. One, your manner of exit from the IEBC and two, simple questions about the job you will perform in August.

Starting with the manner of exit from IEBC; Marjan should hope and aim to serve his full term and retire when the time comes. But he should be aware that two of his predecessors left Anniversary Towers prematurely and in disgrace, under a cloud of controversy.  There was retired Major Oswago who headed the IEBC secretariat through the 2013 election. He was kicked out and charged in court over bribery allegations surrounding the tender for printing ballot papers. It was a scandal called the Chicken Gate scandal for which the United Kingdom sent to jail the bribe givers -  two directors of the Smith and Ouzman Company that won the tender. Oswago is still battling his case as Kenyan courts try to establish whether there were receivers of the bribe or ‘no one would ever know’, as Kriegler would say.

Then there was Ezra Chiloba, the CEO that oversaw the nullified 2017 presidential elections. He was kicked out screaming ‘witch-hunt’ after a protracted battle with the controversy ridden commission. And now, it is Marjan’s turn in the hot seat. That reminder again; think about your manner of exit from the IEBC.

My next piece of advice; be mindful of the simple questions. You see, when you oversee the election in August, someone somewhere may ask you very simple yet not so simple questions. First, you may be asked about election results. So think about those figures and don’t call them election results unless you know for sure they are. Then you also need to check those simple things that constitute your tools of trade. Be sure you know the features of the ballot paper because somebody may just ask you.

Note the key words there; abundance of caution! Yes, caution. Very key. And you had better be even more cautious about the process in the polling station because we realize some tricky questions may just be asked.

There you go Marjan. Be careful about those simple questions. Then again, don’t forget the other question – how do you intend to exit the IEBC? Think about those two issues.

And that is my kicker!

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IEBC August General Elections Marjan Hussein Marjan

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