Azimio La Umoja Forms Panel to Audit 2022 Election

The Azimio La Umoja has taken a crucial step in addressing the disputed 2022 presidential election.

Azimio leader Raila Odinga recently announced the appointment of a three-member panel tasked with evaluating the electoral process following the parliamentary approval of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) in February 2024. This initiative signifies a significant development stemming from the contested 2022 polls, where Odinga challenged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission's (IEBC) declaration of William Ruto as the winner.

Despite Odinga's unsuccessful petition at the Supreme Court, ongoing dialogue between the opposition and the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration culminated in the NADCO report. This report, endorsed by Parliament, mandates the formation of a six-member evaluation panel within 21 days. The selection process for Azimio's panel adheres to the NADCO directives. The appointed members Amos Wako (former Attorney-General and ex-senator), Judith Pareno (former Nominated Senator), and Julius Njiraini (forensic expert and director of Julkin Technologies), demonstrate expertise in law, public service, and technology.

Notably, Njiraini's qualifications in computer security and forensics are particularly relevant for examining the technical aspects of the electoral process. The newly formed panel faces the critical task of fulfilling its mandate swiftly. Their primary objective is to thoroughly evaluate the 2022 election, addressing concerns regarding transparency and legitimacy. This evaluation will involve the selection of a reputable firm or consortium, as outlined in the NADCO report. Ultimately, the panel will present a unified report to Parliament based on the firm's findings.

Parliament has already introduced nine bills to assist in implementing the NADCO report. Recently, Raila Odinga expressed concerns about potential obstacles to the progress of the National Dialogue Committee report. In response, the Azimio Summit, the coalition's decision-making body, released a strong statement accusing elements associated with Kenya Kwanza of actively undermining the report's credibility. The statement warns that any attempts to manipulate or undermine the report will not be ignored and will have serious consequences.