NAIROBI SEPTEMBER 12, 2017(CISA) – Interreligious Council of Kenya (IRC) has called upon the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to ensure that it puts its house in order before conducting the October 17 fresh Presidential Elections.
“IEBC should focus on the coming elections by ensuring that they put their house in order first. Do not drive with the rear mirror on. You don’t have to wait for the full Supreme Court judgment because you already know your weakness,” said Dr Francis Kuria, IRC Executive Director.
Speaking during a public consultation forum regarding preparations for the fresh presidential election organized by Kura Yangu Sauti Yangu(KYSY)-a coalition of human rights organizations at a Nairobi hotel, Dr Kuria said that IEBC need to be clear on what exactly they want to do within the timelines before the fresh polls in order to win the public trust.
“IEBC must show Kenyans that they are going to do things differently this time round and must improve their systems and their infrastructure so that Kenyans can believe the results,” he said.
He noted that the religious leaders will continue to dialogue with the IEBC officials to ensure that Kenyans have free, fair and credible elections.
In his address during the forum, National Super Alliance (NASA) Chief Executive Officer, Norman Magaya said that the coalition will not participate in the forthcoming polls if no changes are made at IEBC secretariat.
“If the structure of the IEBC secretariat remains as it is, If IEBC does not open itself up for an audit of its election technology then as a coalition we have no doubt in our mind that we will not walk into another election with the same infrastructure, same officials because it will give us the same results,” said Mr Magaya.
We will not be party to any election that is not consistent with what the law demands, said Magaya adding that “restructuring must be done with regards to election officials and technology for us to participate in another election.”
