NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 22 – The Azimio La Umoja One Kenya supporters will today converge at the Jeevanje gardens to hold a prayers session for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The Raila Odinga led coalition is set to hold the prayers in a push to agitate for electoral justice in the country following the stand by the coalition that their victory was stolen in the August 9th polls.
It’s expected that the IEBC prayers will kick start the beginning of teargas drama in the busy streets of Nairobi which has been a familiar scenario for the opposition while agitating for reforms.
It remains unclear on what will be the actual agenda of the prayers as the poll agency is currently vacant as commissioners Wafula Chebukati (Chair), Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye.
The only commissioner left is Irene Masit who is currently suspended as she facing Justice Aggrey Muchelule tribunal following allegations of abuse of office and gross misconduct.
Three commissioners Juliana Cherera, Justus Nyangáya and Francis Wanderi resigned in the wake of their suspension and formation of a Tribunal to investigate their conduct in the August 9, 2022, general election.
The Commission is currently under the management of the secretariat.
Odinga lost the last presidential election to President William Ruto by a narrow margin, but maintains that he won with 8.1M votes with the latter following closely with 5.9M votes.
“We are sure beyond reasonable doubt that the election was stolen. President Ruto no matter how many times you shout or he prays. The prayer will not help him run away from election theft,” he previously stated.
The Azimio La Umoja Leader revealed that hired private IT experts have been able to access the servers and unearth shocking revelations of the election theft that unfolded in the 2022 polls.
This comes amidst plan to replace commissioners in the electoral body with President Ruto slated to appoint a seven-member panel that will select six individuals to fill vacancies at the electoral agency.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendment) Act, 2023 came into force on opening the door for Ruto to form a panel for the purposes of appointing the chairperson and members of the IEBC.
President Ruto declared six vacancies at the IEBC, paving the way for the recruitment of new commissioners.
Azimio La Umoja have raised eyebrows in the process arguing that it gives the ruling coalition the upper hand in recruiting the new commissioners of the electoral body.
