Election officials call for probe
By LUCAS BARASA
Four electoral commissioners have called for an independent inquiry into whether any of their colleagues tampered with presidential election results before they were announced in Nairobi.
They agreed with election observers that there were significant irregularities in some of the results, and described the complaints raised by the Orange Democratic Movement as "weighty."
The four commissioners - Mr Jack Tumwa, Mr D.A. Ndamburi, Mr Samuel arap Ngeny and Mr Jeremiah Matagaro - addressed the Press as violent protests spread across the country over presidential election results as announced by the Electoral Commission of Kenya.
They said information received from returning officers after results had been announced at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre cast doubt on the figures presented to the public.
The commissioners cited the case of Molo constituency where the presidential figures announced in Nairobi differed from those read at the constituency, some say by up to 20,000 votes.
Asked whether some of their colleagues may have tampered with the results in Nairobi, Mr Tumwa suggested that an independent inquiry could establish the truth. "It is only this way that the truth can come out," he said.
On violence, they said: "These events appear to have been set off by the statement issued yesterday by the ECK, releasing the presidential results and we cannot remain silent under the circumstances. Like all Kenyans, we are deeply affected."
The group called for the formation of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to come up with a conclusive independent finding and report for action.
The four named Molo as one of the constituencies where the presidential tally could have been cooked.
"It is noted that some of the information received from some of our returning officers now cast doubts on the veracity of the figures," the commissioners said.
The group said statements made by observers and some political parties in relation to the figures "are of great concern and interest to us."
They said the complaints made following the audit of presidential figures "are weighty and in our view merit careful consideration."
The commissioners called on observers, especially Kenya Domestic Observers Forum (KEDOF) to complete their findings so that it can assist in the investigations.
The commissioners said their hands were tied as they cannot nulify the results unless the affected parties go to court and petition as provided by law.
Mr Tumwa said: "The ECK has no powers to nulify results, it is only through courts and that is why we would be useful."
However, he asked observers who might have been disallowed to witness the counting and talling of votes to step forward and provide such information to the commission.
The commissioners, spoke in their private capacities, said it is important for all leaders to speak openly for the good of the country.
"ECK will not leave any bin unturned, and we urge parties concerned to go to court and seek redress in cases they suspected any irregularities," Mr Tumwa said.
He went on: "ECK stands accused, and we are taking that responsibility very squarely. Perhaps we need an independent investigator to look into the complaints."
Mr Tumwa said the post-counting audit teams appointed by both ODM and PNU teams had identified some annomalies, "and we advised them to pursue the legal route."
Saying that the country was more important than individuals, Mr Tumwa said: "Kenya has slipped, but we cannot allow it to fall ... It is important that the truth comes out."
Mr Tumwa said: ECK stands accused and we are not running away from responsibility.... if it was because of the deficiency, ECK takes the blame, we cannot pass the buck.
We take all the blame squarely that is why we are saying perhaps we need an independent person to look at our activities that is if our colleagues are going to agree so that we can come up and tell Kenyans what happened and what should not happen in future, he added.
He said they had no option but announce the results they received as the law stipulates.
They said they had come forth so that they can save Kenya from bleeding.
And Mr Ngény added: We are the tail end... we take responsibility because we employ these people (election officials).
Appeal to the two individuals not to look at themselves but the poor fellow in the street.
Mr Tumwa said it was important to establish what happened at what stage and appealed to accredited observers who were denied entry in any polling station to come forth and help in the inquiry.
Dont just sit there as a repsonsible Kenyan, am saying it is a normally you should be able to tell us you were refused entry in such and a such a place by such and such a person that is evidence we are looking forward to.
We want these thing to be done today not tomorrow... the appeal we are sending to political leaders especially from the two divides is that they should not look at their position but the dying poor fellow in the street.
Asked whether the ECK was credible, Mr Tumwa said: You are to judge us... it is you to say whether there is any credibility for the ECK.