NASA wants foreign expert to guard electronic elections system after Msando's killing

 

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati (third left), vice-chairman Consolata Nkatha (on his left) and CEO Ezra Chiloba (second left) listen as human rights activists speak after they demonstrated to Anniversary Towers in Nairobi yesterday to protest the murder of IEBC ICT Manager Chris Msando. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

The National Super Alliance (NASA) now wants an international expert to be deployed to manage the Kenya Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS) following the death of Chris Msando.

NASA co-principal Musalia Mudavadi said the expert would ensure electoral technology is not interfered with.

Mudavadi said the Opposition preferred an individual from the Commonwealth or the United Nations (UN).

Shaken confidence

Mudavadi and Senator James Orengo (Siaya) warned that in the absence of an independent international expert to guard the electoral system, the August 8 polls were compromised.

"To restore the shaken confidence in the electronic systems that are key to the credibility and success of the election, IEBC should immediately secure the services of an internationally recognised expert from the Commonwealth or UN in the area to oversee KIEMS," said Mr Mudavadi.

However, IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati and Chief Executive Ezra Chiloba said the agency had sufficient officers to man the system and would not require a replacement.

The duo said the systems, which had been put in place, do not necessarily depend on a single individual.

NASA also welcomed the United States (US) and United Kingdom's gesture to assist with investigations into Msando's murder.

The US and the UK had on Monday offered the assistance of their two elite investigating bodies, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and New Scotland Yard, after the Director of Public Prosecution Tobiko Keriako directed a probe into the killing.

"Amid the deafening silence of our Jubilee government leaders on the brutal murder of IEBC's ICT manager Chris Msando, NASA and all Kenyans have been very pleased and very relieved to see two of the country's major partners offer to assist in the investigations," said Mudavadi.

US Ambassador Robert Godec and British High Commissioner Nic Haley had pointed out that it was not possible to have a free, fair, credible and peaceful elections unless the security of all senior IEBC officials was assured.

Mudavadi argued Kenyans have little faith in the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to probe the murder.

And political parties have supported plans to allow Scotland Yard and FBI detectives to probe the murder of Msando.

Under the banner of Political Parties Liaison Committee (PPLC), the parties argued that the Government and other competitors in the election were equal players and should allow foreign detectives to investigate the murder.

"The Government should allow foreign detectives such as the Scotland Yard and FBI to carry out the probe to enhance acceptability of the findings," said PPLC Chairman Philip Obonyo.

In a statement, Mr Obonyo further said Msando's death was a blow to elections preparedness and was likely to raise a lot of suspicion from key players.

PPLC now wants IEBC to convene a meeting with key players to discuss how to secure a credible and transparent election.

And protesters marched to the IEBC offices yesterday, demanding a speedy inquiry into the murder of Msando.

"The timing of his torture and murder serves to undermine Kenya's election management body," said anti-corruption campaigner John Githongo, flanked by 25 protesters.