Let parties pick poll officials to ensure fairness, says Raila

Cord leader Raila Odinga now wants political parties to be allowed to nominate commissioners to the electoral commission to ensure the 2017 elections are not rigged.

Mr Odinga said Cord, through its Okoa Kenya campaign, is pushing for reforms that will see all parliamentary parties allowed to participate in nominating commissioners to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission according to their strengths.

He said the current IEBC commissioners must go before the next General Election, saying they cannot be trusted to conduct a credible presidential election.

The ODM leader was speaking at Orange House after a meeting with leaders from the Gusii community in Nairobi.

“It is now clear to us that members of the IEBC commission are partisan and are largely leaning towards the government side. As such, they cannot be trusted to handle the presidential election of 2017.

“That is why we in Cord now want political parties allowed to nominate commissioners so that we can have a team that the country can believe in,” he said.

The former Prime Minister, who has lost three elections, said Okoa Kenya is proposing that the nominated commissioners be allowed to elect their own chairman.
He urged Cord MPs to mobilise their supporters to acquire national identity cards and register as voters in preparation for the 2017 General Election.

ACCUSED THE MEDIA

At the same time, Mr Odinga accused the media of scheming to poison the existing opposition unity and called for caution over the matter.

“The press is trying so hard to divide the opposition. Sometimes they claim I have started premature campaigns, all meant to create tension. But I want to assure you that I will, together with other Cord principals, ensure we have the best representing us in the presidential poll,” said Mr Odinga.

He also called on the government to address the issue of political parties funding as provided for in the Constitution.

“The law requires that parties are given a specific percentage of the national budget to run their affairs, we want the government to implement this requirement,” he said.

Also present at yesterday’s meeting were Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, Kisii Senator Chris Obure and Kitutu Masaba MP Timothy Bosire.

The delegates from the Gusii community in Nairobi asked Mr Odinga to ensure a free contest for three parliamentary seats in Nairobi and 15 wards as a reward for their support in 2017.

Mr Odinga said that equity and democracy would be allowed to prevail, adding that nominations would be held six months before the elections.

“We are working on a new nomination blue print that will see the chaos that have always dominated the process dealt with,” he said.

Mr Obure urged the Gusii community to support Mr Odinga.

“I never used to take Mr Odinga seriously during my days in Kanu. But when I started working with him and got closer I came to learn that he is a true embodiment of reforms in our country and must be made president,” he said.