Election Committee Appointment Controversy Could Mar Kenyan Elections
“Democracy Should Matter More Than Authoritarian Law”
By Koki Muli
January 22, 2007
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Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki is facing stiff criticism after he appointed nine commissioners to the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) without consulting the public or opposition leaders.  Although the Kenyan constitution allows him to make appointments to the nonpartisan committee, his unilateral actions have come under the scrutiny of many who say he is jeopardizing the credibility of the commission and future elections.

The ECK is an important body in Kenya that educates voters, monitors the fairness of elections, declares the results, and establishes “a level-playing field on which candidates and parties may compete.”  Opposition parties feel that Kibaki’s nine appointments to the 20-member committee may give him an advantage in the upcoming presidential elections.  By not giving other political parties the chance to nominate candidates to the ECK, some Kenyans are arguing that Kibaki “disregarded democracy and fair-play.” 

This growing contention over Kibaki’s appointments may diminish the integrity of the institution in the public’s eye, which could, in turn, bring the results of the 2007 Presidential election into question.

Additional Source:
http://www.eck.or.ke/