Kenyans in the diaspora have added their opinions concerning the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) issue and just like Cord, they want the officials out of the offices.
Kenyans living in abroad through their umbrella body, the Kenya Diaspora Alliance (KDA), has said that it is irked by the recent developments where violence broke out when the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) asked its supporters to take to the streets to protest against the IEBC.
KDA blamed IEBC for the chaos that ensued, saying the IEBC officials, who the opposition want removed from office, should put the country first and their personal interests second.
The alliance has also urged the Raila Odinga-led Cord coalition and Jubilee to put reason over emotion as the 2017 general election draws closer.
“Kenyans have witnessed the violence, loss of lives and destruction of property over the last three Mondays with great dismay and despair about the future of our country. KDA registers its deep frustration and disappointment with current political events ahead of the 2017 General Elections, and call for reason over emotion by all political groupings, Kenyan leadership, pertinent constitutional institutions, religious groups, civil society and all Kenyans in general," read a statement wired to the newsroom.
They called for cross-board consensus in seeking a legal, civilized, fair and acceptable solution to the current stalemate. We especially call upon the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and its secretariat to soul search and put the greater good of the country before self. IEBC is the one in the eye of the storm and the single trigger of the current violence.
IEBC’s mishandling of the BVR kits that led to bungled 2013 elections and disputed results, allegations of dizzying levels of corruption against the commissioners, and their blatant disregard for constitutional and legal electoral provisions to favour preferred candidates and political parties have collectively rendered the continued presence of some of the commissioners in office anachronistic
"The constitution provides that any Kenyan above the age of 18 years, including those in the diaspora, may register to vote. Kenyan courts of competent jurisdiction have ordered the IEBC to register Kenyans in the diaspora to enable them to participate in general and presidential elections, but the IEBC has ignored the constitutional provisions on the voting rights of diaspora Kenyans and defied court orders on the same," read the statement.
There are constitutional provisions regarding how the IEBC can be disbanded. However, constitutional and legal provisions do not preclude honourable actions of principle, and time comes when honour must transcend constitutional and legal provisions.
Meanwhile, Cord officials have called off their weekly demos as they wait to dialogue with the government.