This archive report was first published on 5 November 2019.
On November 7, Kibra constituents will head to the polls for a by-election, but a dispute between the Orange Democratic (ODM) Party and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
According to the ODM party, led by politician Raila Odinga, it had written to the IEBC three times - on September 20, September 30, and October 2 - requesting the complete voter register for the Kibra constituency. However, the party claims it did not receive any responses from the IEBC.
On November 5, the IEBC defended its decision to decline the ODM party's request, stating that it had already provided the party with a truncated version of the register as required by the constitution. The IEBC also maintained that the Kibra constituency voter register is currently open for inspection and verification by voters.
ODM party lawyer James Orengo revealed that an out-of-court settlement with the IEBC over the matter had failed after the commission became 'economical with the truth.' The party has since filed a petition with the court seeking orders to compel the IEBC to provide the complete register ahead of the by-election.
Justice James Makau is set to make a ruling on the matter on November 6.
