Jubilee, Cord MPs disagree on IEBC reconstitution formula

Members of a parliamentary caucus on human rights on Wednesday publicly disagreed on the formula needed to reconstitute the electoral commission, shortly after issuing a “non-partisan” statement on needed reforms.

At a press conference in Nairobi, the Kenya Parliamentary Human Rights Association (KEPHRA) issued a joint statement with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).

They also called for the passage of the Gender Bill, which is due for a vote on Thursday in Parliament, implementation of a TJRC report and called for “legal reforms towards the 2017 General Election.”

“KNHCR and partners are working with KEPHRA beyond Bill passage in Parliament to now engage them with grassroots, such as public forums and civic education in the media,” KNCHR Chair Kagwiria Mbogori said during the news conference.

But that is where the similarities ended. The Association which comprises 13 legislators from different political parties says it focuses on “human rights through parliamentary mandate” and to “affirm and protect the universal values of human rights, truth, peace and social justice, human dignity and integrity in the context of Kenya’s cultural and historical background.”

But at a press conference hosted by KNCHR chairman Kagwiria Mbogori at CVS Plaza, the leaders were clearly favouring different political lines supported by their various coalitions.

On Wednesday, Kibra MP Ken Okoth (ODM), the association’s convener told a joint press conference that IEBC commissioners have to go even if it means buying them out of their current contracts.

“The question is not whether this IEBC will be disbanded, but when and how it will be disbanded. That this IEBC will not conduct next year’s General Election, that much we know,” he argued.

“IEBC, if it thinks it can conduct the elections next year without the confidence of the great majority of Kenyans, it is highly mistaken. We Kenyans will use any means necessary, preferably peaceable and constitutional, to remove the IEBC, including if they want to be bought out.”

But nominated MP Sara Korere, who belongs to the Jubilee coalition, issued an immediate rejoinder, distancing herself from Mr Okoth’s call to disband the commission, and instead accusing Cord leaders of disobeying laws that they took part in formulating.

“From where I sit, I don’t think that there is a way of gauging that a majority of Kenyans do not have ... confidence [in the] IEBC. As a matter of fact, it is a minority of Kenyans led by my very good friend, the leader of Cord (Raila Odinga) and his generals,” she said.

“There is no shortcut to that because as lawmakers, we should learn to respect the very laws that we swore to defend. It is also imperative to know that the next electoral body that will be recruited in this country will comprise of citizens of this country,” she added.

The two issued contrasting views Ms Mbogori and Nyamira Women Representative Alice Chai watched.

The commission has been battling low public ratings since the 2013 General Election. The latest polls indicated that public confidence in it has plummeted to a 20 per cent low as the opposition Cord coalition called for its overhaul.

Ol Jororok MP Muriithi Waiganjo (TNA) had earlier told the news conference that it would be important to reform the commission but as long as the right channels were followed including convincing the commissioners to resign.

“Where we stand now, we are looking at a situation whereby both political [sides] and coalitions do not trust IEBC anymore. So what we are looking at is IEBC, on its own motion, can agree to leave office to allow for a recruitment of new commissioners who will come and carry out the 2017 elections,” he argued.