Opinion: Running IEBC Secretariat is no walk in the park

 

The way we work has fundamentally changed, the magnitude and scope of the shift is mind boggling. Even the most progressive of minds are startled by the tectonic technological shifts shaping the new work environment.

It is next to impossible to weather the currently technological revolution by sitting and hoping the workforce of the next generation will be better prepared to handle automated processes such as Kenya’s General Election.

While it is commendable that the country pulled a first one in Africa by conducting elections that relied on an Integrated Electoral Management system, there is need for the country to play an active role in re-training our current workforce on use of automated systems.

In an era where role of management teams and chief executive officers has been reduced to overseeing automated roles and documenting processes, it is critical that employees who play an active role in implementing technological systems have a lifelong proactive attitude towards adoption of technology.

This new work environment that makes it difficult to lambast the IBEC’s operational team by labeling them criminals prior to an exhaustive investigation on what went wrong on August 8. 

I can draw various parallels between my job and that of the IEBC in regard to some of the tools we use such as a database, manual forms and electronic systems and the operations of the IEBC.

Despite having a robust database done by the best IT minds and supported by highly trained and well-motivated staff members who work in friendly environment, getting 100 per cent accurate outcome and maintaining an impeccable database remains a challenge.

Databases require constant updates. Manual systems require constant refining. Any organisation which maintains similar systems and is honest enough to admit about the attendant challenges will tell you it is an intense exercise and serious drudgery. 

Good internet connectivity is often a challenge. Our operations in far flung places often resort to using an online server, which we then upload to main servers upon our return to locations with reliable network. I would thus be hesitant to read any mischief in IEBC for Returning Officers moving to areas with internet connectivity to transmit results. I am also familiar with manual systems, files and forms; though they come in different names; nothing close to 34A and 34B. 

Irregularities may occur due to human error, capacity issues, carelessness or recklessness, and in a few cases, fraud. An outsider looking may not understand why perfection is elusive, it seemingly easy. It is almost akin to a football fan scolding a player for missing a penalty. 

Of note is that we are not disbanded regularly, we have had years to build and refine these systems as well nature team synergy. After drawing the above parallels between my job and that of the IEBC, one must wonder what it is like to work at IEBC where you are constantly scrutinised and criticized for how you execute your mandate.

No security of tenure despite constitutional guarantees; unreasonable timelines; people always second guessing you and imputing negative intentions; human errors never taken as such but assumed to have a certain end in mind; you have to be tough as a nail.

Working with over 300,000 short term staff who are not as well paid or may lack motivation due to various factors such their temporary contracts; a huge database of 19 million people, including the deceased with no time or sufficient resources to clean up; court cases left, right and centre; the murder of a colleague and political pressure.

We should indeed add the requirement “magician” to the IEBC job descriptions. IEBC is hardly given a chance to learn from experience.

The CEO and Commissioners are to blame for the errors of their staff, including their temporary staff. No one cares how long they have had the job; IEBC staff are expected to hit the ground running.  This is why I consider it premature to brand IEBC staff criminals or incompetent unless there is evidence of criminal intent.

I dare posit that if the same standards were to be applied to most of us at our work stations, we would not last a day. Most organisations in the public and private sector cannot weather the scrutiny and demands directed at IEBC, and for this very reason I cannot write off IEBC yet.