Angaza Movement, a human rights lobby group, has published a report on instances that violated human rights during the August 9 elections. 

In the report, Angaza criticized the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)  for failing to deliver a simple, accurate, and verifiable election.

Among the concerns raised is the failure of KIEMS kits in some polling stations on election day. According to the report, the failure of KIEMS kit could have disenfranchised voters and subsequently suppressed those seeking to cast their ballots.

File photo of Kenyans in a queue waiting to cast their vote in the 2017 General Election. FILE 

“Over 200 KIEMS kits failed to identify voters, this translates to a lot of voters who may have been disenfranchised,” reads the statement in part. 

“In many cases, it took IEBC many hours to allow the use of the manual register to identify voters, which often resulted in suppression, as disappointed aspiring voters were turned away or left in frustration," the group stated. 

The lobby group also questioned the inconsistent measures adapted to respond to the failed kits in different stations. As per the report, the Commission failed to avail systematic procedures to identify voters through the alphanumerical or manual register hence depriving some voters of their right to vote.  

The inconsistency, the report states, is a hindrance to the transparency required by the law. 

Rejected Votes

The movement also found fault in the Commission’s failure to conduct adequate civic education, a factor linked to the high number of rejected votes. 

According to the final declaration of results contained in Form 34C, there were over 113,000 rejected votes across the nation in the concluded polls. 

Loss of lives  

In addition, the lobby group listed the deaths of three people during the election process among the deprivations of human rights.  

Leading on the list of election-linked deaths is that of Daniel Musyoka, the Returning Officer assigned to  Embakasi East constituency who disappeared on August 11. Musyoka’s body was discovered days later at the Amboseli National Park in Oloitoktok.

The report also recorded the death of Brian Olunga, the aide to an aspirant in Kimili constituency, who is alleged to have been fatally shot by the area MP-elect, Didmus Barasa. 

Also on the list of deaths linked to the election is Eunice Nyambane who was attacked and killed by rowdy youths on Juja Road while riding in her family’s car.

Further, Angaza movement has questioned IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati’s decision to postpone elections in Mombasa, Kakamega, and other places without a valid explanation.

According to the report, Chebukati’s unilateral announcement about the fresh postponement of the elections on Wednesday, August 17, without seeking a plenary consensus with other commissioners is a violation of the electoral laws.  

“The statement on August 18, 2022, by Chebukati, without a plenary meeting or consultation with other commissioners that these elections be postponed, is a violation of the electoral laws,” the report stated. 

This report comes amid threats by Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition to challenge the outcome of the presidential election at the Supreme Court.

Police officers intervene after a fracas at the Bomas of Kenya during the announcement of the elections results on Monday, August 15. KENYANS.CO.KE