Kirinyaga County Governor Anne Waiguru has called on Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to pick lessons from the August 2022 general election.
Speaking at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, during the launch of IEBC's post-election evaluation report for the August 9, 2022 poll, Waiguru urged IEBC to keenly assess the previous election so as to inform the conduct of the next election.
The Council of Governors (CoG) Chair, noted that the observation was useful as it would help in adopting necessary strategies.
“There is a need to look at what worked, what failed and the lessons learnt so as to come up with to be employed to make the 2027 general election a success,” she noted.
She pointed out that some of the fundamental issues and critical areas that needed to be addressed included legal, policy, and administrative frameworks that will inform and guide the activities of IEBC in the conduct of free and fair elections.
“Other aspects that need to be outlined include risk assessment, recruitment, training and placement of electoral personnel, political parties’ nominations, voter registration, voter education and information, logistical issues, electoral observations, the actual voting process, counting, tallying, dispute resolution, the announcement of results, electoral security, among others,” she added.
The Kirinyaga County boss further lauded IEBC for conducting a free and fair election, highlighting the importance of post-election evaluation.
“It is a key activity that marks the end of one electoral cycle and the beginning. This assessment is based on the commission’s Strategic Plan, Election Operations Plan and International best practices in election management,” she stated.
Waiguru announced that the governors had lived to their pre-election pledge of fully supporting the IEBC and other agencies throughout the electioneering period.
“The just concluded evaluation is expected to build on the 2017 evaluation and is expected to outline the lessons learnt, findings and recommendations and how they informed the 2022 elections,” Waiguru uttered.
She further called on all the stakeholders to reflect and take stock of what happened in the previous elections and most importantly on the just concluded elections to help improve on the conduct of the next polls.
“It is often not comfortable to subject self to scrutiny but it is the only way that one can grow. Remaining transparent and accountable is key and indeed, the hallmark of good governance and the foundation of the Constitution of Kenya," she stated.
The Monday event was Chebukati’s last official appearance as IEBC chairman having served for 6 years and oversaw two general elections.
The forum was attended by Chief Justice Martha Koome, Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula, Speaker of the Senate Amason Kingi, Attorney General Justin Muturi and other dignitaries including high commissioners and heads of various institutions.
