Why most MPs could have rigged themselves in

By ANTONY GITONGA

About half the MPs rigged themselves in due to questionable practices by the disbanded electoral commission, an MP has said.

"Forty per cent of the MPs in the House lost in the last General Election and rigged themselves in while the real winners are out there," said Deputy House Speaker Farah Maalim.

Mr Maalim attributed the possible situation to ineffective electoral laws, calling for quick formation of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Maalim termed the pending IEBC Bill good, adding the bid to capture the presidential seat in 2012 could derail efforts to have it implemented.

He spoke at the Simba Lodge, Naivasha, during the opening of a three-day workshop to discuss the establishment of IEBC, which should be in place by August.

Justice and Legal Affairs parliamentary committee chairman Ababu Namwamba denied claims there were three different Bills on the IEBC.

He said the contentious issues in the Bill were part of the process of constituting the commission and its tenure. "Contrary to the belief, we only have one IEBC Bill in Parliament and I appeal to my colleagues to put aside political differences as we debate it," said Mr Namwamba.

During the workshop, Narc-Kenya chairperson Martha Karua tore at the IIEC, saying in the last few months its performance was wanting.

She pointed an accusing finger at the secretariat, saying political influence affected service delivery and expressed concern on the slow process of implementing the law, warning the pace could breed resistance.

Three years since the signing of the National Accord, it’s a shame that IDPs are still in camps," she said.

Strong institutions

British High Commissioner to Kenya Rob Mcaire called on politicians to be cautious in the campaigns as he commended IIEC for its job. "The country needs strong and effective institutions and development partners will continue to support Kenya,"

The chairman IIEC Isaack Hassan, who also addressed the gathering, called for the pre-examination of the integrity of the persons to be selected into IEBC.

Present at the workshop were MPs Danson Mungatana, Amina Abdala, John Mbadi, Sofia Abdi, Mutava Musyimi and Joseph Nkaissery.