Koome queries IEBC polls preparedness
Chief Justice Martha Koome yesterday questioned the preparedness of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, (IEBC) in handling next year’s General Election.
Koome said there is a need to interrogate measures put in place by IEBC ahead of the election, in order to gauge its capacity to deliver a free, fair and credible election.
“Though we are an independent body as per our operations, every agency involved in the General-Election preparations must inform Kenyans how well prepared they are, since we all work in an inter- dependable manner with several other agencies,” she said.
Koome questioned the Commission’s preparedness in logistics and hiring of Returning Officers.
“How well trained are those ready to work with IEBC? How committed are they or will we still see a trend of last-minute employment of returning officers, are they ready to ensure that they will not mess with the will of the people?” posed Koome.
The Chief Justice stated that IEBC had in its mandate many tools, regulations and other roles to play, to enable the country alongside other institutions to deliver free, fair and credible elections.
She was addressing journalists at a Mombasa hotel after officially opening a
performance review workshop for Court of Appeal judges. She pointed out that no institution can deliver justice singlehandedly.
“I am holding this chain here, you are holding the same chain at the far end, how tight is your grip? If it’s not tight enough, it will loosen and the chain of justice will fall,” she said.
On his part, Court of Appeal President Daniel Musinga predicted a rise in election petitions but noted that the court was ready to discharge justice.
“There is a committee of judges recently formed by the CJ and we are working closely with all stakeholders in ensuring that the country will have free and fair elections by dealing with all disputes expeditiously,” he said.
