By Grace Gilo
Kalonzo Musyoka, the Wiper Party Leader, has urged the government to speed up the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Speaking to participants at the Electoral Law and Governance Institute for Africa Regional Conference on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Media and Social Media in Elections in Nairobi, Kalonzo Musyoka has called out the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for being side-blinded by the fact that it is not functional, less than three years to the 2027 General Elections.
“We are, therefore, holding this very important conference with a malformed IEBC,” stated Kalonzo.
He further implored those obstructing the reconstitution of the IEBC to consider the broader implications and prioritize the collective welfare of the nation over their narrow self-interests.
“I urge those who are standing in the way of reconstituting IEBC to see the bigger picture. They should set aside their narrow selfish interests in preference to the greater good of the nation,” he said.
“Please, allow us to reconstitute IEBC as soon as possible! We want the commission to begin working towards credible use of technology – among other preparatory chores – in readiness for a credible election,” he added.
Additionally, he asked IEBC to conduct voter education on the technology it is going to use, including digital technology.
Furthermore, he stated that, historically, legal challenges related to electoral processes have been addressed only when elections are imminent, allowing for manipulation by those who perceive a legislative advantage and calling for an end to this.