NASA's anti-IEBC demonstrations. The demonstrations should be called off immediately. (nation.co.ke)
For every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday before the October presidential election, the National Super Alliance (NASA) has called for anti-IEBC demonstrations. The coalition wants Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) CEO Ezra Chiloba and other commissioners to vacate office on allegations of bungling the August presidential election.
However, the demonstrations have not been successful so far. In fact, the demonstrations have led to more problems than solutions. In the much-awaited Supreme Court ruling, the majority decision did not implicate any of the commissioners with criminal culpability. The Judges asked IEBC to organize a fresh presidential election and follow the applicable laws in doing so.
Thus, it is unfair for the NASA coalition to allude that some of IEBC commissioners are the ones responsible for the annulment of the presidential results. The demonstrations have only resulted to the loss of life, destruction of property and stalled daily economic activities leading to loss of revenue. Some protestors have also used the demonstrations as a decoy for them to loot from other people's businesses.
It should be noted that prior to the August polls, the then opposition (Cord) engaged their supporters in street demonstrations against IEBC. Even though they managed to remove the Isaac Hassan led team from office, the consequences were dire. People died and property worth hundreds of thousands destroyed. Nonetheless, the opposition still lost to the Jubilee party.
The country needs to forge forward and away from unending politics. Economic and social aspects of life also need to prosper and this cannot be achieved with the political grandstanding being experienced currently. NASA should also caution their supporters against destroying property and looting from other people's businesses. In case of any doubts, the coalition should seek legal, legislative or a bipartisan approach to solve issues.
And with NASA making it three days a week for their demonstrations, the remaining three weeks to the election spell more destruction of property, disruption of economic activities, looting and other wrong doings.