By Moses Njagih

Concerns are growing after it emerged that the recently acquired 15,000 Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits are still in Nairobi and clerks expected to handle the exercise have not all been recruited or trained.

The exercise is monumental, as Kenya currently has no credible voter register. The BVR kits will improve the accuracy of the voters roll by eliminating double registration, registration of minors, and non-citizens and ensure names of dead voters are not on the register.

Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa has confirmed that all the kits arrived in the country last week in readiness for the registration expected to kick off in two weeks.

On Tuesday, the Independent Boundaries and Electoral Commission’s (IEBC) Communication and Corporate Affairs Manager Tabitha Mutemi declined to comment on when the kits would be delivered to voter registration centres.

She said: “The kits are being handled by the commission’s ICT and Finance departments, but I cannot give further details, including when clerks would be trained on their use,” said Ms Mutemi.

Calls to IEBC Chief Executive James Oswago’s mobile phone also went unanswered.

All eyes are now trained on the commission, which must hire and train registration clerks on the use of the kits within two weeks before beginning voter registration on November 1.

According to the timetable released by IEBC, the registration would last 30 days, and there would be no extension.

The commission must make all logistical plans to ensure the estimated 18 million voters are listed electronically for them to be eligible to take part in the elections.

A check by The Standard across the country revealed that no clerks had been recruited and trained by IEBC for the exercise.

In Kisii, leaders challenged IEBC to reassure Kenyans that it was up to the task of conducting the General Election on March 4.

Contacted, IEBC South Rift Regional Elections Co-ordinator Sarah Ogaro said the BVR machines are yet to be delivered to the constituencies, and personnel to handle them are yet to be trained.

No personnel

“We have not received the machines nor have we conducted any training in relation to the exercise so far, but plans are in place,” she said on phone.

In separate interviews, Constituency Elections Co-ordinator for Kitutu-Masaba in Nyamira County, Owino Odenge said two people would manage each BVR machine.

He, however, said clerks for the exercise are yet to undergo training to handle the machines.

His Bonchari counterpart in neighbouring Kisii County, Bonaventure Obongoya confirmed that the kits had not been delivered to registration centres.

IEBC confirmed receiving the first batch of the kits in Nairobi, but distribution is yet to take place less than two weeks to the start of voter registration.

Nyaribari-Chache MP, Robert Monda, said the electoral body was behind schedule in registering voters, casting doubt on whether it was ready for the polls.

Dr Monda said there was no sign that registration of voters due in 14 days would take place as the Biometric Voter Registration machines had neither been delivered to the constituencies nor persons to man them trained.

“In my view IEBC is not ready. Fourteen days are not sufficient for training and delivery of the tools to the ground,” he told The Standard on Tuesday.

He said it was important for the IEBC to take precautionary measures to minimise mistakes in order to win confidence of Kenyans.

“IEBC must walk the talk by recruiting voters and carrying out voter education not just making pledges when we can see clearly that things are not moving in the right pace,” Monda added.

He said the electoral body had no business just telling Kenyans they were ready for the critical exercise, but must show that they were up to the task.

“They must create confidence by doing tasks within the set limits so that the country does not question the outcome of the polls,” he charged.

Central Rift Regional co-ordinator with the IEBC Ali Ibrahim said they are yet to get word from the head office.

“I have no information and you should have gone to our head office for clarification on this exercise.  We have nothing to tell you until next week when we would have received proper direction,” he explained.

The co-ordinator said it would be until Friday this week when he can issue any statement concerning the registration.

On Friday, all the co-ordinators are expected in Nairobi for a meeting with their seniors for further instruction ahead of the expected massive voter registration drive.

“Until Friday, we have nothing to say because everything must come from up (head office) and I do not want to cheat anybody that my office has any information about training,” Mr Ibrahim told The Standard.

In Kakamega, IEBC Western co-ordinator George Oyugi said the region was yet to receive the materials.

Leaders from Western have expressed concern that the delay would affect the quest to have the exercise completed in time.

Kimilili legislator Eseli Simiyu challenged the commission to ensure the exercise is done within the stipulated time, adding that the body should not ride on people’s good will and fail to deliver.

“What IEBC is demonstrating is the fact that they are riding on people’s goodwill, they need to pull up their socks and cultivate credibility in their undertakings” said Dr Simiyu.

“Kenyans would be registered afresh and, therefore, it is not a process to take for granted... it is going to be a big problem should the commission fail to act as required” added Dr Simiyu.

Lurambi lawmaker Manyala Keya also urged the commission to ensure voter registration was done properly.

In Eldoret, the Regional co-ordinator Solomon Mudanya said they had not received the kits, but he was recruiting clerks.

Uncertain training date

“We have no idea when the kits will come but we hope to conclude the recruitment of clerks by Friday.  But we cannot tell when the training would start,” said Mudanya.

He said they would be distributing the kits to 31 constituencies in the expansive region when they are delivered.

In Bungoma, outgoing Kanduyi IEBC co-ordinator George Chege said they were expecting 3,000 BVR kits, but no training of clerks had taken place.

“We conducted the interviews but the clerks have not been recruited,” said Chege.

IEBC chairman Isaack Hassan, who admitted that the body does not have the luxury of time, has maintained that there is sufficient period to prepare and conduct free, fair and credible elections.

Mr Hassan has been critical of the section of politicians that have been lobbying for postponement of elections, claiming the polls body was not prepared.

“If the politicians are not ready to face the electorate, let them look for another scapegoat and not the IEBC because we are ready. We will not entertain any blame,” said Hassan when he launched the voter education programme two weeks ago.