Opposition leader Raila Odinga Sunday reiterated the need to have a decentralized election management system, where counties would oversee elections in their jurisdiction, rather than a central body.
This follows President William Ruto’s assent to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Amendment Bill 2022, which sought to alter the composition of the Selection Panel that oversees the filling of vacant positions in the IEBC.
Odinga said those in the government must fully involve the public to make changes in the commission.
Azimio party leader was speaking Sunday during a rally at Kamukinji Grounds in Kibira, Nairobi County.
“We will not accept any changes made by Ruto in IEBC. Azimio must be involved first. Every person must be involved,” he said.
He expressed concern over the integrity of the recruitment process, fearing that Ruto may influence the appointment of commissioners to his benefit.
Odinga said the current centralized system is obscure.
“Let every county have a tallying center. When the results are sent in Nairobi, it will be a matter of compiling them.”
Odinga first proposed the system during the Leadership Annual Conference and Awards in Abuja, Nigeria.
He opposed the results of the August 9 polls insisting that the Kenya Kwanza government is illegitimate.
