The Kenya Union of Students Organisation (KUSO) has called for a speedy inquiry into the ongoing presidential results revelations following a petition filed last week by Azimio One Kenya alliance flagbearer Raila Odinga.
Through its chairperson Anthony Manyara, the students have castigated the ongoing division across the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chaired by Wafula Chebukati and have called for calmness and tolerance.
“We are asking the DCI to commence a thorough forensic audit of the IEBC KIEMS kits and entire systems to determine the extent of infiltration and effect on the presidential results. That a voter audit commences to determine the truth regarding alleged discrepancies of votes announced at the polling station and those recorded in the form 34As and 34Bs and speedily prosecute those involved
in any mischief identified,” stated Manyara.
The students body expressed their high hopes in the August 9th polls that the IEBC would take cue from the previous elections and the contestations thereafter, and deliver to Kenyans a free, fair, credible and verifiable election. However, the faction has expressed its disgust by the alleged underwhelming performance of the IEBC in the just concluded election that has been petitioned by a record number of disgruntled parties.
“We urge the IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati to issue a public apology over his emotional and diversionary affidavit that doesn’t address the issues raised on his conduct as the commission’s chairman but engages in wild name calling and fairy tale recounting of the dreams…That the National Police Service accords security to all Petitioners in the presidential petition before the supreme court. The public figures and lawyers … such as Ahmednassir Abdullahi cease from propagating personalized social media attacks on the supreme court judges on social media,” Manyara claimed.
The body has expressed its disappointment in what they perceive avoidable mistakes that may have affected Presidential Elections displayed through division of electoral body commissioners, secrecy in printing and receiving of election materials into the country among other alleged electoral malpractice.
Glaring mistakes in the printing of ballot papers leading to the cancellation and postponement of elections in two counties, four constituencies and two wards.
“It goes without saying that such failure of KIEMS kit countrywide that affected thousands of voters and most prominently, even presidential candidate Prof. George Wajackoyah who had to wait for hours to eventually vote. We stand guided by a damning report by Kenya’s chief investigative body, DCI, pointing to a well-coordinated inside job to grant unauthorized access of IEBC’s systems to unauthorized persons to alter the results and direct the outcome of the election,” poised Manyara.
The students’ body has called on the members to unite and focus on the student’s representation countrywide noting that KUSO’s elections are held on the first Thursday of every April as stipulated in the body’s constitution and have called on their counterparts to remain calm and orderly.
“There is neither a notice nor motion of removal of the KUSO President or any other official by any council member or student leader from any university within the Kenyan republic,” Manyara said.
The body has affirmed its focus to resolve and determination to serve students fairly without favour and discrimination.
“We will not be distracted and we will continue to discharge our duties without favour nor fear even in the face of spirited attempts by agents of Satan to distract us,” lamented Manyara.