Western Kenya leaders accuse IEBC of ploy to scuttle voter registration drive

Western Kenya politicians have accused the government and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of frustrating youth who want to register as voters ahead of the 2017 general elections in the region.

Amani National Congress’ regional leaders claimed that over 800,000 local youth who applied for national identity cards were yet to receive them. The leaders met last week in Kakamega to popularise the Amani party in the region.

In a joint statement read by Amani’s national secretary-general Godfrey Osotsi, the leaders who included Members of County Assemblies drawn from Vihiga, Kakamega, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia and Busia counties claimed that the delayed release of ID cards was a ploy to scuttle the voter registration drive in western Kenya.

“We demand for quick release of the IDs to the applicants to give them a chance to register as voters and ensure there is fairness in the way things are done in regard to voter registration drive,” said Mr Osotsi.

Speaking in Butere on Christmas eve, Siaya Senator James Orengo claimed that western Kenya has continuously registered a handful of voters every time the country nears elections yet it has nearly the same population as central Kenya.

Mr Orengo, who was addressing ODM grassroots leaders at Butere Girls, said the region has been treated unfairly in the past in regard to voter registration exercises.

“We know it is not a mistake of your making but a wide scheme to deny people the opportunity to elect leaders of their choice,” he said.

(READ MORE: Poor voter registration among youth discouraging, says IEBC boss Ezra Chiloba)

(READ MORE: IEBC protests after Treasury 93pc cut on voter listing budget)

Details obtained from the National Registration Board indicated that 1.9 million Kenyans have acquired new IDs since 2013, portraying an unexplainable disinterest in voter registration by applications and increasing the number of Kenyans not listed in crucial voters roll to 7.5 million.

According to the IEBC,  only 81,0923 Kenyans have registered as voters since April 2013 despite concerted efforts by various groups to encourage the youth to enroll ahead of the 2017 elections.

Speaking to the Nation in August this year, IEBC Chief Executive Officer Dr Ezra Chiloba indicated that the electoral body could run another national voter listing exercise in 2016.

In May this year, IEBC protested after the Treasury cut its voter listing budget by 93 per cent. Budget estimates indicated it would receive Sh111 million for voter registration and other electoral operations, down from Sh1.7 billion.

Mr Orengo, however, challenged the IEBC to ensure that each region registers at least 80 per cent of eligible population as voters prior to the 2017 general elections.

ODM, AMANI RIVALRY IN WESTERN KENYA

Butere MP Andrew Toboso dismissed claims that the ODM’s popularity had waned in Kakamega County and blamed the poor public image on political brokers.

Earlier, Lugari MP Ayub Savula predicted a tough rivalry in western Kenya between  Mr Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani party and Mr Raila Odinga’s Cord coalition.

“Given the fact that New Ford-Kenya and UDF parties have been dissolved to join Jubilee party, ANC have a better chance to give Cord a run for its money in regard to the scramble for Western votes,” he said.

Mr Savula called on the local residents to rally behind Mr Mudavadi to enhance the region’s chances of producing Kenya’s fifth President.