ODM wants parties to be given poll agency slots

ODM Party leaders now want parties to be allowed to nominate representatives to the electoral commission.

The leaders argue that even with the current reforms, more needed to be done to make the Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) more credible.

Party chairman John Mbadi and Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o said even with new commissioners in office, neutrality would still remain a pipe dream.
“It is not guaranteed that the new commissioners will be neutral. That is why we are asking that parties be allowed to have representatives at the agency,” said Mr Mbadi.

Prof Nyong’o said without a neutral electoral body, there would be no free and democratic elections. “As Cord, we want free and fair elections. Let there be no monkey business about this,” he said.

He said the country has had “its fair share of stolen elections” and the opposition would not countenance another one in 2017.

“We still have the numbers on our side and let someone understand that continued blatant theft of our victory is the last things Kenyans want,” said Prof Nyong’o.

The two were speaking on Friday in Kisii at the burial of Nyacheki Ward Representative Peter Nyaega, who died a fortnight ago at a Nakuru hospital.
On his part, Mr Mbadi, who is also the Suba MP, said a reformed IEBC should have representation that has a national appeal.

Other leaders at the burial were Kisii Senator Chris Obure, MP’s Stephen Manoti (Bobasi), Richard Onyonka (Kitutu Chache South) and Manson Nyamweya (South Mugirango) among others.

There was near fracas when a member of the Gusii Unity Caucus, Mr Charles Nyachae, was booed by an agitated crowd protesting the exclusion of Kisii Governor James Ongwae from the unity talks. Nyanza Regional Coordinator Wilson Njenga and Bobasi MP Stephen Manoti calmed down the crowd.

Meanwhile, Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo has called for the nomination of only three commissioners to the new electoral body.

TEMPORARY BASIS

Mr Gumbo on Sunday asked the parliamentary team handling the matter to employ the trio on a temporary basis. He said the proposal to select a team of nine commissioners on permanent basis was not economically viable. “The recommendation of selecting 9 commissioners is mischievous.

“The commission has a dedicated secretariat that is able to deliver a credible election,” Mr Gumbo told the Nation on phone.

Mr Njenga said the government will not allow hooliganism at funerals or political rallies.

“All people irrespective of political affiliation must be allowed to sell their ideas without being booed of heckled,” said Mr Njenga.
Mr Ongwae who was present however rejected overtures to join the talks.

“For now I rather be left alone, am busy with my development agenda in the County. I’d rather be left alone for now,” Mr Ongwae told the thousands of mourners who turned at the burial.

Kisii Senator Chris Obure said the unity talks were open to all Gusii leaders including Governor Ongwae. “It is free. The only requirement is willingness as a Gusii leader to be part of the process,” Mr Obure said.

He said all the community wanted was more of the devolved funds to help spur development in regional government.

“Counties get a fraction of the funds and there is need for an increase and when we seek this as a united block the better,” the Kisii Senator said.

South Mugirango MP Manson Oyongo, who has also announced bid for Governorship, and former Nyaribari Masaba MP Prof Sam Ongeri also rebuffed invites to join the initiative.

Prof Ongeri said the Gusii unity initiative was headed for a blackspot since current leaders in office were excluded.

“I prefer a unity of purpose and not one where people are dividing posts when the offices still have bearers,” he said.

On his part the South Mugirango MP scoffed at the initiative saying devolved units had given enough funds to spur development and no visits to Statehouse were needed. Additional reporting by Nelcon Odhiambo