We have Raila to thank for improved electoral processes

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. [Kelly Ayodi, Standard] This week the Supreme Court began the hearing of the election petition challenging the declaration of William Ruto as the President-elect in last month's general elections. Social media has been awash with stories, allegations and counter allegations from different camps, each trying to justify their stand following the now-disputed polls. One of the narratives being peddled is that Raila Odinga has been a perennial petitioner. Critics argue that he has had problems accepting defeat, challenging the outcome every time he has run for president. What such critics fail to recognise is the critical role that Raila has played over the years in making the country a democratic space. His fight over the years has created the democratic freedom we enjoy today. Every Kenyan has seen him lead demonstrations and petitions that were aimed at improving the performance of the governments of the day. As an Opposition leader he has done a commendable job of holding to account the Government and raising concerns, especially with regards to corruption and other malpractices. Take the 2017 General Election for example. His petition at the Supreme Court led to a scrutiny of the electoral processes and the conduct of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Many are now familiar with the Supreme Court's nullification of the election due to what was termed irregularities and illegalities committed in the transmission of results by the then commission. The precedent-setting ruling put Kenya on the global map as a history-making country in the African democratisation. The judges were hailed for demonstrating the independence of the judiciary, especially because the ruling was against an incumbent president. Most importantly though, beyond the repeat elections, the Supreme Court process was quite critical in providing jurisprudence that many experts say has helped improve the work of the IEBC in the polls of 2022. The verification of results witnessed at the Bomas of Kenya, for example, has been attributed to the ruling of 2017. The electoral agency, it seemed, was keener to ensure the 2022 presidential election results were as accurate as possible, if the Bomas process was anything to go by. The Maina Kiai case of 2017 that set precedence in the electoral process with regard to tallying and declaration of presidential results, has become perhaps one of the most cited ones in recent days as the debate about the outcome raged on. The clarity brought about by the Supreme Court judgement, therefore will guide electoral processes for years to come. As the country awaits the ruling by the court on the validity of the presidential election results, it is important to note that whatever the outcome, Raila will again have spearheaded a critical process of building important jurisprudence as well as moving the country another step closer to the maturity of its democracy. -Dr Kalangi Kiambati is a Communication Trainer and Consultant, Kenyatta University

We have Raila to thank for improved electoral processes

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