Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chief Executive Officer James Oswago has broken his silence over the management of the 2013 general elections.
Mr Oswago revealed that there was external interference in the polls, which saw President Uhuru Kenyatta declared winner after a court petition. Mr Oswago, for the first time, sensationally claimed that the failures witnessed in the hotly contested presidential elections were not the commission’s ineptitude but some external forces.
“External manipulation of the results could have come from outside the commission.”
“It would have been the hight of insanity that after what happened in 2007, the electoral commission could plan to change the outcome,” said Mr Oswago.
He also faulted the Supreme Court ruling that cited that there were widespread irregularities in the procurement of the election equipment and bordered on criminality. He said that the fact that Electronic Voter Identification Devices (EVIDs) have subsequently worked in subsequent by-elections vindicates the commission that the problem did not lie with procurement but power management.
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His revelations are likely to stimulate some debate and will be used by CORD leaders to press for IEBC reforms before elections. Mr Uhuru Kenyatta of Jubilee Coalition beat Raila Odinga of CORD by a slim margin to lift the presidency under the controversial election that saw the electronic system collapse.
There were allegations of vote-stuffing and rigging in many Jubilee strongholds where CORD did not have agents, but the Supreme Court upheld Kenyatta’s victory, saying it was the voice of the majority. It’s ruling remains a matter of debate even among legal and polutical experts.
With only about 500 days to go for the next polls, Mr Oswago cautioned the commission not to preside over the polls if the failures of the last exercise are not addressed by a multi-disciplinary committee.
He recalled that he suggested to the Commission to form an independent multi-sectoral committee to probe the failures and come up with recommendations but that is yet to take place.
“I’m worried that we are approaching the next general elections but these issues remain unresolved. I suggested to the commission to have a multi-discipline and bipartisan team to probe the failures and give independent views but that is yet to happen,” said Oswago.
“IEBC might have done their own internal assessment but an independent team would have given an independent assessment other than the commission.” (Simeon Ngome of Business Today contributed to this report)
he cohabited with thiefs only to be impregnanted later. too late for this
Why now only for him to talk now. These are some of the people who are blocking justice from taking place. If those be his exact words,we right now may need it for future changes but still,its help is really reduced.
Too little too late Mr Oswago you’re a failure to the office you held disgrace
we are eagerly waiting for his affidavit. then the truth shall set him free
So what. we are approaching another election. You were fully responsible.
Sir, between right and wrong, at whatever the cost, the disciple must tread the path. .. Narrow is the way, and few the No…You can do better to right your wrongs sir..
This still remains chicken gate, let him be put behind bars, it is too late
This is creating unnecessary tension and animosity. Rigged or not, let’s leave it to God …
I didn’t know one million votes is a ‘slim margin’!
That is y u don,t understand how eurobond scandal is affecting kenyan economy.
Dont argue as if you never stepped into a class. Reread, its in black and white that there were vote-stuffing and rigging in many Jubilee strongholds. Thats from an insider’s knowledge. You saw Lawyer Diana Kethi Kilonzo table such facts before the court.
Too little too late !!
True to nature and humanity pride comes before a fall !
You are a very big disappointment Mr.Oswago, you’ve not helped in anything. Why can’t you always let justice prevail for once in Kenya
uhuru beat raila with a small margin? so who won?
Why so silent during the time of need? Mr Oswago, are u trying to make your self relevant so as to favoured by CORD?
Why now?.why didn’t you say that during the petition?.if you were still the CEO,would you have said that?.
Shut up! Why didn’t you speak then?
This is non-consequential.
Jinga sana wewe why now go to hell
you should be arrested……….f**k u
you should be arrested……f**k u
Oswago is an ass!
Pple, dnt take off the retired army major’s head. Remember he’s facing a corruption court case related to the procurement of the very equipment whose efficacy he now defends. He’s simply defending himself by trying to ‘adduce’ evidence in open (read media) court. He’s simply saying “… the flawed election process and eventual disputed results should not be blamed on the failure of the equipment, but on external influence…”
I am worried that Oswago saying this too late in the day, it should have come beforwe the manipulated high court rulling. I am still thinking of whether to or not vote because we have elecyion cartels in this country.
The reason we needed BVR kits to work is because of vote stuffing. As a country we have the misfortune of having a scarcity of honest people. The ones IEBC employs as clerks can easily allow some people to vote more that once. When you ask why are there many people who only vote for president and disregard mp and other roles, you are told that there are people like that. Which is why we needed BVR kits to automate voter identification.
Why speak when things are not on your side? When you were on the commission you didn’t know all of this.
Why is this man now speaking? When he was fat with whatever they had been bribed with he was silent. Now he has been sacrificed like a goat he suddenly remembers all the things that were wrong. He has seen the light now that he is trouble? What is the matter with these Kenyan men? Rotten to the core, no backbone, no values, no morals, no integrity, no vision, no sense of themselves. Not even honour among thieves. Why bother with elections? It will be rigged again. Another Oswago will be in a position to do something, but will be paid enough to do nothing. And life will go on. God help this country. Really, God, help Kenya for we have failed. We are lost, and the men you gave us, like Adam, are busy making covenants with the Snake. They are naked, and they don’t care.