Kenyans are awaiting the complete results of theparliamentary by-election today (Friday) amidst calls for the disbandment ofthe Electoral Commission. Prime Minister Raila Odinga other leaders of the mainopposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in the unity government are callingfor a total overhaul of the electoral commission. But the chairman of thecommission, Samuel Kivuitu, and other commissioners are dismissing the callsfor their removal as unfortunate.
Callsfor the disbandment of the electoral commission amplified after the KrieglerCommission of inquiry called for a radical reform of the electoral commissionand a creation of a new management that would be professional in organizingelections that would meet international standards.
MustaphaAli is a Kenyan political analyst. From the capital, Nairobi he tells reporterPeter Clottey that the electoral commission has proven to be an embarrassmentto all Kenyans.
"Firstof all the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) has become an organization thatis synonymous with shame and is being blamed for triggering the post-electionviolence in Kenya. And really, very few Kenyans and very insignificant numberhave any confidence in the Electoral Commission of Kenya," Ali noted.
Hesaid there is an overwhelming majority call for a total overhaul of theelectoral commission.
"Themood is that the ECK has to disband, and the Prime Minister (Raila Odinga)earlier today for the umpteenth time said that the ECK has to be disbanded. AndIndeed the Kriegler commission report, which was established or released lastweek, indicates that Kenyans deserve a better electoral commission," he said.
Alisaid there was uncertainty about the fate of the electoral commission, but thatit quickly dissipated after the findings were made known to Kenyans.
"Ithink that this was the view shared before the Krieger Commission released itsreport. And I think now, within the cabinet and members of parliament here inthe country are all in the view that really ECK has to be disbanded. And ifit's not disbanded then there is no way it is going to conduct business, andeven this by-election, which is being conducted are we are expecting theresults today, it is being reported that the turn out has been extremely low.People sort of lost hope and confidence in voting, why go queue with time whilethe whole thing is being conducted by a commission that has done a gravemistake in the past?" Ali asked.
Hesaid the refusal of the chairman of the electoral commission to resign despiteoverwhelming reported call by Kenyans is unfortunate.
"Itis very stupid of the Electoral Commission Chairman Samuel Kivuiti to say thathe and his team are not going to resign because the mood is very clear thatthey have to go, and I think it is going to be either they resign or thecommission is just disbanded. And Kenyans are not taking very kindly for sayingthings like this," he said.
Alisaid Kenyans would not relent until the electoral commission is disbanded.
"WhatI can tell you for a fact is that pressure is mounting on the ECK to just go.And if they don't go, pressure is really mounting on the cabinet, on thegovernment, on President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to takeaction and disband this commission," Ali pointed out.