Hits and misses that have made IEBC a punching bag

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati speaking at Bomas of Kenya during simulation of elections technology on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. [Samson Wire, Standard]

It has been a torrid week for Wafula Chebukati, the chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. The case of Venezuelan nationals arrested at JKIA on suspicion of courting mischief in the forthcoming elections couldn’t have come at a worse time. Whatever damage the 'discoveries' from investigations by DCI yield on the role of the three individuals, it will be hard to win back the confidence IEBC needs to execute a thorough job. The seeds of doubt have been planted.

A little ago when Mr Chebukati authorised media houses and political parties to host parallel tallying of the vote, little was lost in the irony. Was this a candid admission that IEBC should not be trusted to do a good job?