US Institute Calls Out Cherera for Poor Calculations

Former IEBC Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera during an IEBC briefing at the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, August 1, 2022..jpg
Former IEBC Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera during an IEBC briefing at the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, August 1, 2022
IEBC

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) has called out the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Vice Chairperson, Juliana Cherera, and three other commissioners for what it termed as poor mathematics.

In a report on the just concluded August 9 polls, the institute established by the US Congress in 1984 stated that the error in percentages as claimed by commissioners could not change the results significantly.

The report released on Thursday, August 18, made reference to the commissioners' claims that the percentages of four presidential candidates surpassed the 100 per cent mark by 0.01.

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati presents President-elect William Ruto his election certificate at the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, August 15, 2022.
Former IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati presents President William Ruto his election certificate at the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, August 15, 2022.
PCS

However, the Institute stated that the division within the Commission could have an effect on Kenyan's perceptions of the Commission and the processes taken in the concluded polls.

"The supposed errors the commissioners identify are the result of rounding percentages to two decimal places, rather than three (or more), and, in any case, would not change the outcome.

"Poor mathematics aside, this public display of division in the Commission only fuels doubts about the electoral commission’s competence," read the report in a part.

Other commissioners who distanced themselves from the presidential results include Francis Wanderi, Justus Nyangaya, and Irene Masit.

Additionally, USIP also credited IEBC for making the electoral process transparent through the publishing of Form 34 A - C on the public portal.

In regard to the two leading presidential candidates, the peace institute noted that Ruto's agenda was more appealing to his supporters as compared to former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, despite opinion polls projecting a win for the ODM boss in the polls.

The body explained that Ruto's support base turned up in large numbers as compared to those of Raila - in particular the Coast region.

"Voter turnout in Ruto-supporting areas seems to have made the difference. Although Ruto led the vote in only 20 out of Kenya’s 47 counties, turnout in those counties exceeded 70 per cent.

"Meanwhile, turnout in the 27 counties Odinga won was just under 64 per cent, and only one Odinga-supporting county surpassed 75 per cent turnout. This suggests voters were more enthusiastic about Ruto’s candidacy," added the Institute.

Raila Odinga at KICC giving his speech to the Media about IEBC commission on August 16, 2022
Raila Odinga addresses the media at KICC on Tuesday, August 16, 2022
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