IEBC urged to restore public confidence

By KBC Reporter

Former Cabinet Minister Professor Sam Ongeri has challenged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission IEBC to work on restoring public confidence in the wake of allegations of illegal voter registration.

Prof. Ongeri says a comprehensive cleanup of the voter register is also necessary to help avert mistrust at the ballot

On Tuesday a last minute dash saw hundreds of Kenyans turn up at registration centers countrywide seeking to beat the 14th February deadline.

However, the decision by the High Court to compel IEBC to extend the duration of the mass voter registration exercise appeared to have come as good news to many.

Activist Okiya Omtatah had moved to court challenging the legality of the decision by IEBC to halt the registration exercise on Tuesday.

And with the electoral body having been served with the court order, it is obvious that IEBC may be forced to readjust its calendar to enable it meet the August 8th deadline.

Prof. Ongeri says IEBC must convince Kenyans that it is committed to its mandate and is ready to deliver the August poll.

Separately, the US government will offer the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) the necessary technical support when it embarks on cleaning up the voter register.

Speaking in Garissa town after visiting one of the IEBC voter registration centres, US ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec said now with the voter registration exercise is coming to an end, the process of cleaning the voter register was crucial in ensuring that the August 8th polls were free, credible and peaceful.

He underscored the importance of the election process where Kenyans would exercise their constitutional right to vote. The month long mass voter listing that has been characterized by voter apathy