Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Prof Abdi Guliye on Monday, July 31, lamented over the ongoing talks between President William Ruto and Azimio Leader Raila Odinga.
In an interview with TV47, Guliye complained that the proposed talks between the two leaders were a mockery for the IEBC institution and the electoral process.
He wondered why they were forced to put in a lot of work only for the two leaders to explore possibilities of uniting in running the country or sharing power.
“The Commission deployed in excess of 400,000 personnel across the country (during the August 9, 2022, general election). You spend a lot of time and thereafter you do not respect the outcome. It is a mockery of democracy,” he complained.
Guliye, who was among four IEBC officials who announced Ruto’s win, further remarked that elections in Kenya were becoming an unnecessarily expensive affair, especially if after every cycle candidates would challenge legitimate results.
“Kenyans need to decide whether they want a competitive election or have political barons sit under a tree or State House and agree on how to share power,” the former IEBC commissioner noted.
While the government and opposition have stated that they do not want to have an arrangement that would lead to a coalition government or a kin to power sharing, Guliye believes that the talks are aimed at achieving just that.
The former commission during the interview also maintained the earlier assertion that they were being arm-twisted to announce a particular candidate.
Led by former chairman Wafula Chebukati, they claimed that powerful and senior officials in the government tried to manipulate the final results of the hotly contested election.
Guliye has proposed that the election should be split into two to ensure peace and stability after the elections. According to him, the presidential and county elections should be held separately.
The process of reconstituting the electoral commission has started, and it forms part of the key issues that the opposition wants to address in the talks.
Azimo side has chosen Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka with Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi, former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, Kisii Senator Okong'o Omogeni and Malindi MP Amina Mnyanzi to lead talks with Ruto's team.
