On Tuesday next week, Kenyans will go to the polls to elect their new set of leaders, who include the president and deputy president, governors, senators, MPs, woman representatives and MCAs.
The success of these elections is important for the country’s democracy, especially because they are transitional. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission must get it right.
In its detailed judgment released on September 20, 2017, the Supreme Court’s majority criticised the IEBC for its conduct of the vote. They cited widespread “irregularities and illegalities” in results tabulation and the announcement of the final results before the IEBC chairman had received scanned returns forms from over 10,000 polling stations.
Next week’s elections, like the previous ones, are fierce contests for power between Azimio’s Raila Odinga and Kenya Kwanza’s William Ruto. Any mistakes by the IEBC would be dangerous.
All the other actors, especially politicians, should play constructive roles and encourage key institutions involved in the elections such as the security forces to fulfil their duties impartially at an exceedingly delicate time for Kenya.
The IEBC commissioners, on their part, must also live by their oath office and deliver a free, fair, credible and verifiable election.