IEBC's Role in Kenya's Political Chaos
By By By Phil (Gov)
Politics is meant to be the avenue where servant-leaders offer themselves and present their vision for improving the lives of citizens. Voters then select the most suitable candidate. For this selection process to be legitimate, we require a neutral referee. This is the fundamental role of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Yet, the current IEBC has proven to be toothless and shambolic. It has failed to fully implement the Election Campaign Financing Act (ECFA) of 2013, which was designed to regulate political fundraising and spending and to curb the use of violent goons.
Furthermore, it is time for Kenya to criminalize the widespread practice of voters queueing for handouts from politicians. This culture indirectly fuels a vicious cycle of corruption. Politicians spend fortunes on campaigns, then, once in office, feel compelled to steal public funds first to recoup their costs, and then to build a war chest for the next election. This is a key reason the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), despite constitutional questions, persists, it is seen as a mechanism for MPs to "give back" and recover campaign expenses.
The handout culture is a double poison. It locks out young, qualified candidates from fair competition and reduces democracy to a transactional marketplace where votes go to the highest bidder. This was glaringly evident in the recent by-elections, such as in Malava.
This leads to a fatal conflict of interest. An MP's primary duty is to oversee the executive. But how can the Malava MP, for instance, credibly oversee an executive that handpicked and sponsored his campaign? We are on a dangerous path. The 2027 election risks being the most violent in our history. Those who have plundered the nation are preparing to cling to power at any cost. Hence, the rise of "goonism" as a political tool,a trend being supervised by the very government meant to protect us. Amidst this, the handpicked IEBC looks the other way, emboldening the perpetrators.
The violence in the recent by-elections demands a serious investigation. The entire IEBC commission must be disbanded. Kenya is greater than any individual's greed. Why did the IEBC not disqualify violators and recommend prosecutions? Why pretend these crimes are not happening?
My advice to Kenyans is simple: it is time to wake up. We must demand a streamlined, transparent, and impartial electoral process before all hell breaks loose.