DROUGHT IN MARSABIT

As the country gears for the general election, all the politician are trying to put their houses in order. No one wants to leave anything to chance.All of them believe they have an upper hand of winning in the forthcoming general election.

As voters, we are just looking as things happen.At the end of the day, the politicians will be voted for basing on how they seem committed to change the life style of common mwananchi.What we want are leaders who have a heart for this country.

As the general election is around the corner all eyes are on on body in Kenya the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).IEBC is tasked with the responsibilities of; continuous registration of voters and revision of the voter’s roll, delimitation of constituencies and wards, the regulation of political parties process, voter education, the facilitation of the observation, monitoring and evaluation of elections,the regulation of money spent by a candidate or party in respect of any election, the development of a code of conduct for candidates and parties among other duties.

So IEBC is at the center of politics.Each and every politician want the body to favor him.Parties on the other hand want IEBC to dance to their tune so that at the end of the day they win.The other day I heard Philip Obongo, the chairman of political party Liaison Committee complaining that the IEBC chairman Mr. Ezra Chiloba, is ignoring to listern to all stakeholders in matters concerning elections in Kenya.

Mr. Obongo said that Chiloba wants all the stakeholders to rubber to stamp his opinions without really allowing them to air their views.He further said Mr. Chiloba is there to harmonize the divergent views from the stakeholder (Registrar of political parties, Parties, and IEBC and not decide for them on what to do.

Meanwhile, the IEBC Chairman has hinted that he has a good working relationship with the Deputy President and the opposition leader chief Raila Odinga.According to him, all the sides are well represented so there is no need to panic.

Mr. Chiloba further said that he will not pledge allegiance to anybody because he is not interested in political favors. He also said the duo have been so close to him and he can not betray their friendship.Early own both sides felt that Chiloba will lean towards one political party at the expense of the other one.

Speaking during an interview with the parliament committee he said that he should be trusted with the responsibility because he is impartial.According to him, it is not easy to be biased because Raila and Ruto are on board.He said the two will serve as a moderating factor to IEBC.