UWIANO Peace crusaders in Kenya have urged stakeholders in the upcoming general election to respect and allow IEBC to work.
UWIANO Platform for Peace umbrella brings together both state and non-state organizations
Moreover, they made the clarion call on Tuesday, July 26 following the continuous criticism facing the electoral commission.
The criticism coming from some stakeholders question IEBC’s credibility to conduct a free and fair General Election come August.
“We call on the nation and all its citizens to join us in: Respecting the integrity of institutions such as IEBC so as to ensure smooth elections.” National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Chairman Samuel Kobia said on behalf of UWIANO.
In addition, IEBC has recently been questioned after three foreigners were arrested at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on July 21, 2022, while delivering election materials.
However, the three foreigners claimed they were employees of Smartmatic International B.V.
Moreover, a section of Kenyans did not take it lightly as they questioned the electoral commission’s lack of transparency in notifying authorities on the transportation of the sensitive materials.
The commission through its chairperson demanded the release of the foreigners, terming their arrest as intimidation.
“The brazen decision of the security authorities to arrest, detain and confine in a solitary hideout the three personnel without justification is an exhibition of intimidation on hardworking persons who are only keen to deliver a robust technology infrastructure for conduct of a credible, secure and verifiable election,” Chebukati said.
Nonetheless, the Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti who has been exchanging words with IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati reported that the three foreigners were not employees of Smartmatic International B.V.
However, Kobia did not to comment on the spat noting that UWIANO does not have full details on the matter. Adding that, they are only calling for the respect of the Commission.
Furthermore, the peace ambassadors in their plea, called upon political analysts to desist from posting inciting messages on social media.
“We need peace and prosperity for Kenya to move forward therefore as elections draw nearer, we want to remind you of our mission statement this year: Election Bila Noma,” Kobia stated.
Also Read: NACADA Urges Youth To Maintain Peace Ahead Of Polls
