AFRICA/KENYA - "A transparent process for the October 2022 vote immediately" ask the religious leaders of Kenya

Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) - "The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) continues to suffer from a serious case of leadership and credibility crisis", says the Dialogue Reference Group of the main religious denominations of Kenya, in a statement sent to Agenzia Fides .
"The ruling by the High Court put serious doubts on the capacity of the Commission to organize and manage the constitutionally scheduled General Elections in August 2022", say the religious leaders referring to the Constitutional Court ruling of May 13, which states that the IEBC does not have the quorum to carry out its mandate.
There are currently only two commissioners in office plus President Wafula Chebukati, following the resignation of three members in 2018 and one in 2017.
"The Constitutional Court found that the lack of quorum, as established by law, significantly hinders the commission from conducting key business, throwing IEBC into limbo", the statement said. The religious leaders call upon the IEBC to begin making the necessary preparations, and to communicate the same to Kenyans so as to enhance trust and confidence in the institutions.
"The preparations should include transparent appointment of electoral officers at all levels, public procurement of elections related materials, and setting up of elections management and results transmission systems". "We call upon Parliament to urgently finalize the development and enactment of the various laws that touch on elections, including: Political Party Primaries Bill; Referendum Bill; Campaign Finance (Amendment) Bill; Representation of Special Interest Groups Bill; Gender Parity Bill
Everything possible must be done to assure Kenyans of peaceful, credible, free and fair elections in August 2022", the statement concluded.
The Dialogue Reference Group was established in 2016 to ensure that dialogue is the means to address the underlying causes of conflict and violence in Kenya. "We want to remember that religious leaders were at the forefront in defending national unity and peace in the country" underlines the statement.
In addition to the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, the group includes: Evangelical Alliance of Kenya, Hindu Council of Kenya, National Council of Churches of Kenya, Organization of African Instituted Churches, Seventh Day Adventist Church Shia Asna Ashri Jamaat. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 26/5/2021)

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