CORD demands vital reforms at IEBC

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chief Executive Officer Ezra Chiloba with Vice Chairperson Lilian Mahiri-Zaja address the Press at a Nairobi hotel last week. [Photo: file/Standard]

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) intensified attacks on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), insisting the Opposition would not participate in the 2017 General Election unless it is reformed.

MPs Simba Arati (Dagoretti), Opondo Kaluma (Homa Bay Town), Kisoi Mumyao (Mbooni), Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja), Daniel Maanzo (Makueni) and Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda) said IEBC cannot conduct polls without the Opposition.

Mr Arati dismissed Deputy President William Ruto's remarks that CORD had sensed defeat hence the threats to boycott the 2017 polls, saying CORD only wants a fair playing ground.

He said the electoral agency must be clear on whether both players will "play soccer" and not have some play the latter while others play rugby.

"We are not afraid of Jubilee. What we don't want is a mixture of games where some play soccer while others play rugby. If it is soccer let it be soccer for all the players. It's Jubilee that is scared of CORD," said Arati.

The legislator claimed IEBC had become a puppet of some individuals, adding that as long as the electoral agency is not seen as independent, it is a recipe for chaos.

He said elections are held for the people to elect a new government but when a majority of people have no faith in the referee, then polls cannot take place.

Mr Kaluma claimed that CORD controls over six regions while Jubilee is only having support in Central and some parts of Rift Valley, warning that contemplating conducting elections without their participation is a recipe for chaos.

"IEBC cannot be working unilaterally the way they think. We know that the commissioners have become stooges of the Jubilee administration. You cannot hold elections without CORD. It is impossible," he said.

He claimed IEBC commissioners are operating as agents of the Jubilee government and they disregard the Opposition. But Mr Gumbo differed with his colleagues, saying nobody wins by not participating in an election, and pointed out that IEBC should not be seen to be owned by certain individuals.

"IEBC is not owned by any particular individual. We in CORD own it just as much as the rest of Kenyans. The reforms we are asking for are for the benefit of all Kenyans, not just CORD. They don't have a choice, they must listen to us," he said.

The Coalition Management Affairs Chairman Johnstone Muthama said CORD's position is that the electoral body is not fit to hold free and fair elections. Mr Muthama said the coalition recently submitted a 55-point document to IEBC but their recommendations were ignored and the agency went on to publish a 2015-2020 strategic plan despite CORD's opposition to allow for their input.

ODM' Political Affairs Secretary Wandayi said there will be no elections without CORD.

"As for the consequences, if we boycott the elections, your guess is as good as mine. Jubilee and their twin sister the IEBC can spare us this by climbing down from their intransigence," said Wandayi.