Kenyans are reportedly expressing outrage after the chairman of the Electoral Commissioner told a commission of inquiry that he was forced by security forces to declare President Mwai Kibaki winner of the last disputed elections. Samuel Kivuitu told justice Kriegler commission of inquiry that as he walked out of the room where he announced the results, a team of army officers surrounded him. Kivuitu adds that he was shocked when he arrived at the State House to find the stage set for the swearing-in minutes after announcing the results. The justice Krigler commission is mandated to look into what transpired at the disputed elections, which led to the loss of lives and property.
Some political analysts say Kivuitu's revelation could worsen the already existing suspicion and tension in the unity government. Michael Tiampati is a Kenyan political analyts. He tells reporter Peter Clottey from Naivasha in Kenya that a crime was committed against Kenyans, which should be addressed.
"I feel that this confirms the fears that has been expressed by many Kenayns because the elections has pointed to a different dimension, and just out of no where it was turnd around to point to another dimension. And I think this confirms the fears that many Kenyans had that the process was manipulated and a lot of pressure exerted on the electoral commission by certain forces to ensure that the perceived winner would be Kibaki. The outrage is justified because it is akeen to daylight robeery because it goes against the principles of democracy," Tiampati pointed out.
He described as a criminal act reports of a possible kidbapp of the chairman of the electoral commissioner to declare Kibaki winner of the December 27 2007 general elections.
"My personal opinioon is that first of all if that is the way things happened then it is outrightly criminal, a crime perpatuated by security machinery, and it goes to confirm that the bonafide and well meaning Kenayns were robbed off their democratic rights. And I think this is an issue that might kind og make people raise certain fundametal issues regaridng the justification for maybe Kibaki beng the president," he said.
Tiampati said Kivuitu's revelation could undermine the current coallition government.
"This does not really auger well for the current government as it stands because it kind of really discredits the presidency that Kibaki has been enjoying currently. So, although a lot of water has gone under the bridge since the election, but this will kind of open new wounds. I don't not want to think that many Kenyans of good will just let it pass without seeking justice," Tiampati noted.
He said the revelation would have a serious repercussion on Kenya's internal political dynamics.
"Definitely, this has great implications in terms of the future political scenario in Kenya because many Kenyans even today feel that something wrong did happen and with this statement by Kivuitu then it goes to confirm tose fears that actually a crime was committed against Kenyans that thought to bring change through their vote," he said.
Tiampati said the future will tell what rammifications could befall Kenya's coallition government after Kivuitu's revelation.
"regarding the survival of the coallition government, I think it's only time that will tell beause the downside to this is that probably thise that feel they were robbed off their win may start pushing really hard and kind describing their colleagues on the PNU (Party of National Unity) side as these aer people who ascended to power through crime. And I think because Kenya is politically polarised, and it will really make people to perceive or even to have this believe that that will question the legitimacy of Kibaki's presidency. And it is only a matter of time that we start seeing the unfolding scenario that shall be informed by this revelation," Tiampati pointed out.
