IEBC Commissioners led by it chair Wafula Chebukati at a past presser. The commission has set a Sh20000 fee for anyone interested in accessing the full voters register[Photo/kenyamirror.com]
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has put a fee of Sh20,000 for those seeking to get a copy of the voters register.
This is set to kick start a major storm with the opposition as the directive goes against set laws. Such information should be made available at no cost or a reasonable fee.
IEBC commissioner Roselyne Akombe while attending a morning TV show on Wednesday said the voters register is available but at a fee.
“You can write to the IEBC to get your copy of the register and pay Sh20,000 and you will get it,” said Ms Akombe.
According to the election law, electoral body is required to publish the register on its website to be available to everyone.
The body is required to publish in the Kenya Gazette the expiry of the verification of the voter register and put the list of voters online.
This move by IEBC also goes against the Access to Information Act, which directs all government bodies to provide the public with unclassified information that affects them.
According to section 5 of the Access to Information Act, information shall be provided to the public, taking into consideration the need to reach persons with disabilities, the cost, local language, the most effective method of communication in that local area, and be easily accessible and available free of charge or at a reasonable fee to cover the costs of copying and supplying them.