Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chariman Wafula Chebukati [File/Photo]
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A United States election observer has lauded the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s (IEBC) Preparedness for the August 8th general elections. The Carter Center, an election monitoring body founded by former US President Jimmy Carter, praised Kenya's “strengthening democratic culture”, but warned of possible violence in a pre-election report released on Thursday.
“The judiciary has also played a key role in contributing to a democratic and competitive electoral process,” the Center says. "At the same time the Centre maintains genuine concerns about the level of violence that has prevailed throughout the pre-election period...Incidents of violence, incitement and the harassment of candidates and their supporters are unacceptable infringements of democratic norms,” the nine-page report adds.
The report further says that a prospect of violence during and after the forthcoming elections is elevated as a result of the conduct of the political parties' primaries, which the Centre termed as “chaotic” and “shambolic.”
“In addition to the large numbers of candidates and the intensity of many campaigns, the looming threat of election-related violence can be seen as a product of “underlying socioeconomic and political tensions arising from land injustices, marginalization, and disenfranchisement,” the report states.
“The Carter Centre commends the IEBC for its efforts. Unfortunately some of the candidates have used the court challenges to criticize its authority and competence in an attempt to delegitimize the IEBC,” the report adds.
The Center, however, faulted the IEBC for its “inadequate communication with stakeholders and insufficient transparency regarding their decision-making.” “This lack of transparency has negatively affected the confidence and trust of the electorate and political parties in the work of the IEBC,” the Carter Centre says.
“While the IEBC has taken efforts to correct inaccuracies in the voter register identified during the audit, it was not able to act on all recommendations in the time remaining before the polls,” the Carter Centre added.
The Carter observer team in Kenya will be led by former Secretary of State John Kerry and Amiata Toure, a former Prime Minister of Senegal.
Comments
Uhuru is an EXCESSIVE Drunk and Drug; if you know what I mean.
@GUEST1
Why would Dr. Toroitich Arap Moi give the people of Kenya Uhuru as a leader knowing very well that he has a drug and an alcohol problem?
Had it not been for Toroitich, we would not have known "uhuru!" He (Toroitich) owes the entire nation of Kenya for giving us "Uhuru" as the leader of Kenya an apology. Shame on Toroitich!
How independent is the IEBC? Why would IEBC clear people like Sonko, Joho, the former Mungiki General Maina wa Njenga, and Waiguru to run for any elective office?
The other day Uhuru openly supported criminal Sonko for the governor of Nairobi! How can he support him knowing very well that, the man has a shady past and that he escaped from Shimo la Tewa prison before finishing his jail time? What does his supporting Sonko tell us about him?
I wonder whether the IEBC members have read chapter six of our constitution? I have a feeling that they have not read it!
It is illegal to drink alcoholic drinks in public yet, the other day I saw Uhuru quenching his thirst with a glass of beer! Does this behavior pass the test of chapter six of our new constitution? In addition, Uhuru insults Raila by calling him a "Muguruki and Kimuundu," in his public meetings. Muguruki in Gikuyu language means a mad person! Is it right for a head of state to use abusive language in public against his opponent?
Anyone aspiring to run for any public office must be a moral leader. This person must set an example not only for the youth, but for the entire nation and the world.