An Eldoret-based human rights activist has challenged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to ensure it delivers a free and fair general election.
The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (CHRD) director Kipkorir Ng’etich says as an independent commission, IEBC has a duty and mandate to deliver a verifiable and democratic election, whose outcome will reflect the will of the people.
In an interview with uasingishunews.co.ke, Ng’etich says the electoral body must also ensure the August 9 poll is not interfered with by any political side.
“We want to ask IEBC chairman that he needs to ensure the election that will be held is not tampered with by any political side,” the CHRD director said.
With barely a fortnight to the general election day, there have been claims of a plot to rig the poll, following the arrest of three Venezuelan nationals with electoral materials.
While the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) claims there was no proof that the three were invited into the country by IEBC, the commission has maintained that they are part of a team that is mandated to deploy, test and manage the technology that will be used for the election.
Questions over IEBC preparedness
In a statement on Monday, July 25, 2022, IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati said the stickers that the Venezuelans were found with were meant for the identification of extra 14,000 Kenya Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS) kits.
But even as there is a push and pull between IEBC and the National Police Service (NPS) over the arrest of the three Venezuelans and with questions being asked over the preparedness of the election, the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy director insists the August 9 poll must be above board.
“Chebukati must know that he should not play with the election. It must be free and fair so that the country does not plunge into trouble,” said Ng’etich.
