MPs want electoral commissioners retained

By Vitalis Kimutai

Members of Parliament want the Interim Independent Electoral Commissioners retained as the new constitution comes into place.

Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto and his Naivasha counterpart, John Muthuto said the IIEC commissioners should be re-appointed to their positions because they have demonstrated their competence in handling elections. Since its inception, IIEC had handled four by-elections and a national constitutional referendum.

The August 4 referendum saw Kenyans vote peacefully to adopt a new constitution set to be promulgated on Friday.

"There is no need for us to experiment with unknown characters. The current commissioners have made Kenyans have renewed confidence in the electoral process and they should carry on with their work," Ruto said.

Ruto said, "There is need to expand their mandate to give them more teeth to supervise (elections) and instil more discipline and embrace technology,"

He said there could be individual failings by the Commissioners but the general synergy has given fresh hope to Kenyans.

"They have done reasonably well. The lack of election petitions and candidates conceding defeat is a clear indication that people have confidence on the team," Ruto said.

Muthuto said, " I am on record having opposed the appointment of an officer at the commission but I must admit he has reformed remarkably since then,"

Muthuto said he had been a victim of rigging in two previous elections owing to the lack of independence by the defunct Electoral Commission of Kenya.