My bouquets, barbs to actors of honour, dishonour this season

In exactly three days we hold the much anticipated 2017 elections. I wish all the candidates well, this has been a grueling season for you, expensive on the pocket and punishing on the body and soul. As we head to this important day in Kenya’s democratic calendar, mine is to issue several bouquets and barbs to those that have acted with honour and dishonour this season.

My first bouquet goes to the IEBC. People easily forget that this Commission only started work in 2017 after their predecessors left in ignominy. This team had one of the steepest learning curves for any organ with a mandate of its kind anywhere in the world. And while it has had many missteps, most were externally generated, resulting from time-pressure and the dysfunctionality of our system. In an environment of numerous court cases, maximum suspicion and myriad “they will rig” allegations, Mr Wafula Chebukati’s team has somehow managed to obtain and retain an above-threshold quantum of trust and will no doubt deliver an election that six months ago looked impossible. To Chebukati, Mr Ezra Chiloba and the entire team, despite the loss of your senior officer at a critical time, we urge that you keep up the spirit and deliver a credible election.