Kenyans blamed for choosing bad leaders

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko. (Photo:Boniface Okendo, Standard)

State agencies appear to have thrown in the towel in the quest to block political candidates with questionable integrity.

Instead, they now want the electorate to weed out leaders who do not meet Chapter Six of the Constitution at the ballot come August 8.

Speaking at the National Elections Conference that ended Wednesday, heads of various independent institutions cited legal frustrations as well as the ‘culture of our person’ by Kenyans as some of the reasons it was unattainable to block politicians seeking elective seats.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko accused Kenyans of electing corrupt leaders only to turn back and blame State agencies for not barring them.

Political noise

“Do we really, as voters, pay regard to integrity? Why do we vote those facing charges then turn around to blame State agencies,” posed Mr Tobiko.

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) chairman Eliud Wabukala urged the electorate to use their powers when casting their votes to reject individuals facing integrity issues.

Commission Chief Officer Halakhe Waqo said their mandate was hampered by “political noise”.

The three-day conference closed with the electoral agency spelling out its steps to delivering credible polls on August 8.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) highlighted implementation of voter audit report, punishment of candidates flouting the electoral code of conduct, as well as putting in place a reliable technology.

Commission chairman Wafula Chebukati said they would continue engaging election players in the remaining 53 days, and also asked for trust and support from political players.

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