Tag: NEWS

IEBC audit exposes 14 gazetted Returning Officers operating in its system, Integrated Database Management System (IDMS).

The Standard reports that auditing company KPMG carried out an independent investigation and found that the digital voters record contained over 2 million unidentified voters.

According to The Standard, audit firm KPMG conducted an independent examination and discovered that the digital voters’ register had over 2 million mysterious voters.

The report also discovered existence of 14 Returning Officers were not gazetted but worked alongside 290 IEBC officers in charge of the constituencies in previous elections. 

The report indicated that the mysterious Returning Officers were able to “transfer, delete, insert, trigger, truncate, and update the voters register at will,” and “one user, Postgress, had superuser access privileges.”

The IEBC audit also revealed that the ‘digital’ ROs were backed by 513 generic accounts in the IDMS against 9 genuine accounts and had access to the voters’ register in the IDMS.

“In the IEBC’s official Integrated Database Management System, the mysterious ROs are referred to as ‘Embakasi South clerks’ and ‘IT users’,” KPMG stated.

“Two RO accounts named Balambala-ro and Mbalambala-ro existed in the system. Only one Balambala is gazetted.”

These voters registered using duplicate or fake documents while other people registered twice in previous elections.

“The officers had the elevated privileges in IEBC IDMs to transfer, change voter particulars and deactivate deceased voters and the constituency,” the audit report added as reported by The Standard.

Auditors also found that during the cleaning of the voters’ register, new voters were re-registered mysteriously. 

KPMG also noted that the IDMS database was not set up to delete inactive accounts after 90 days as required by IEBC policy, and this made it more uncomplicated for those who had left the IEBC to gain access to the system.

“The total records within the Smartmatic register of voters that were provided to KPMG on May 5 was 21,970 597, including all biographic and biometric details. 

“Smartmatic undertook duplication of the 2,184,472 records against the 21,970,597 records to generate a fully deduplicated register containing 21,710,728 voters, which was given to KPMG on May 18,” the report stated.

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Deputy President William Ruto on Thursday, August 4, held a press conference naming President Uhuru Kenyatta, Journalists, and Police Bosses among those inciting Kenyans.

Speaking at his Karen office, Ruto asserted that some journalists for Kameme FM and Inooro TV were openly inciting voters as the nation heads to the polls.

Ruto claimed that former MPs Njenga Mungai and Joseph Kiuna have been spreading narratives of violence, through the stations.

The two have been appearing as guests at the stations. 

“Let me also say that this plan is being propagated by certain media houses. Kameme and Inooro FM and more specifically Njenga Mungai and Joseph Kiuna (Ex-Molo and Njoro MPs). They are running narratives around violence and around conflict,” Ruto said. 

“These people should be made to answer to what they are doing, the law is very clear on incitement.”

Upon being accused by the DP, Inooro TV– which was streaming the presser live – cut off the feed immediately.

Ruto also accused the Rift Valley Regional Commissioner, Maalim Mohammed, Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Samson Ojwang, Uasin Gishu’s Stephen Kihara, and Esustus Mbui of Nakuru, as perpetrators of incitement and hate messages in the country.

“They are part of this scheme. They are the people holding night meetings to orchestrate and plan conflict among Kenyans and unfortunately, the President of Kenya is aware,” Ruto claimed.

The Deputy President alleged that administrators and law enforcement officials had been threatened with termination if they failed to support Raila Odinga of Azimio la Umoja.

Additionally, he said Uhuru was conspiring against him and threatening authorities in charge.

“We are concerned about meetings which are being done in dark places to orchestrate what is not good for Kenya. The President met people in Nakuru and what is emerging from those meetings is the leaflets you see.”

Ruto further alleged that the government was undermining the freedom of assembly and association of the Kenya Kwanza supporters by denying them access to the Bukhungu Stadium. 

He also revealed that they were forced to cancel their rally in Mombasa today.

“Today we are supposed to hold a meeting at Tononoka Grounds and some people are trying to use the police to block us. The excuse they are giving us is that the President is in Mombasa,” the DP stated.

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Kalonzo narrates how Ruto frustated him including withdrawing his wife’s official car upon becoming Deputy President in 2013.

The leader of the Wiper Party, Kalonzo Musyoka has claimed that Deputy President William Ruto masterminded a conspiracy to withdraw his wife’s official car after the Jubilee administration took office in 2013.

The plan, according to Kalonzo, who spoke with reporters on Thursday, August 4, was to frustrate him for having backed former Prime Minister Raila during the 2013 General Election.

The leader of the Wiper party further said that the DP made sure that no one from his community got very high posts in the Uhuru-Ruto administration.

He clarified, however, that President Uhuru Kenyatta had no issues with him and was not involved in the plot.

“When the Jubilee government took over, my wife lost her official state car. In 2013 when Ruto got into power he made sure my wife lost her car. He is very conniving and heartless. 

“He went for her car instead of mine and made sure Kamba community did not get any seats in Cabinet apart from CS Monica Juma,” he stated.

In response to losing former Nairobi governor, Mike Sonko, to Ruto’s team, the Wiper party boss indicated that Sonko’s candidature was frustrated in Azimio, however, he maintained that they were in pole position to win the presidency.

Kalonzo also hit out at Ruto adding that the Kenya Kwanza leader would have helped the former governor to get cleared if he really cared about him.

The Wiper party leader also responded to Sonko’s move to join Ruto’s team Kenya Kwanza.

He claimed that Mike Sonko’s candidature.

Kalonzo also criticized Ruto, saying that if the Kenya Kwanza leader had truly cared about the former governor, he would have worked to exonerate him.

“Sonko acted out of anger and I understand him but this is not the end. As Chief Minister, I will get Sonko cleared even without the by-election due to the appeal at the East African Community Court.

“There are so many narratives even stories about Americans not wanting to see Sonko in high seats and that is wrong,” he stated.

Kalonzo has recently differed with the DP over his remarks regarding his chief minister position in Azimio with Ruto claiming that Kalonzo was being duped by the ODM boss. 

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Azimio offers their supporters a rare opportunity to appear in Raila posters as we head to the homestretch of election campaigns.

In what has been hailed as a new strategy for promoting the agenda of the coalition, supporters of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party may now design a personalized poster to express their support for Raila Odinga and Martha Karua’s presidency.

In a statement dated Wednesday, August 3, the group provided a URL through which Kenyans may design their own posters to share with others and then upload online.

Prior to the General Election on August 9th, the coalition has been on a charm offensive by announcing fresh tactics to win over voters.

The publishing of campaign songs, appearances in infomercials, and slang usage all served to increase their support base.

And now in a bid to engage with its supporters, the Azimio coalition has vouched for solidarity with its supporters to participate in an exercise to market Raila. 

The poster left a slot open for Kenyans to upload and resize their images before eventually downloading the final poster.

Among the issues highlighted in the poster that Azimio plans to address include resolutions on devolution, empowerment, women, agriculture, manufacturing, and accountability. 

Others include resolutions of the people, prioritizing on children, provision of water to every homestead, and enabling Babacare (welfare society). 

How to Participate to appear in Raila posters

For Kenyans to appear in the Azimio posters, they should visit www. azimio.vote

Enter your name to proceed.

Upload a photo of your choice and click submit. The subject in the photo has to be centrally placed in order to ensure the top of their head and both shoulders are visible. 

The page will take approximately fifteen seconds to load before displaying the results.

The supporters were also encouraged to share their customized posters across all social media platforms. 

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Ruto writes to IEBC over fresh plans to rig August polls, implicating the government in a ploy to use public officers to interfere with the polls.

William Ruto, the presidential candidate for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), has written to the head of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Wafula Chebukati, regarding suspected intentions to rig the next general election.

The national chief agent of the UDA, Kithure Kindiki, accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of participating in a plot to rig the election in a letter dated Saturday, July 30 and made public on August 3.

He argued that police officers and national government administrators were being used to compromise the August 9 votes in favour of Azimio La Umoja’s Raila Odinga.

He further claimed that the government had engaged in voter bribery by sending officials to Kenya Kwanza areas on election day to influence voters.

“We have received credible information that the Office of the President is deploying police officers to intimidate and harass voters to support the presidential candidate for Azimio,” Kindiki’s letter read in part.

“We have also reliably learned that the public officers may be deployed by the state to induce voters and in some cases intimidate them by compromising the peace on the election day.”

Ruto wants IEBC to launch investigations into the reports arguing that it may undermine the credibility of the August 9 polls.

“Section 16 of the Public Officers Ethics Act (2003) requires complete political neutrality by all public officers and prohibits them from acting as agents for or furthering the interests of a political party or candidate in an election,” Kindiki argued.

In the meantime, Fred Matiang’i, the interior cabinet secretary, and Karanja Kibicho, his principal secretary, have refuted claims by Ruto’s allies that they were behind the purchase of national ID cards and the distribution of inciting leaflets.

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Wajackoyah and his Running mate Justina Wamae in heated exchange over ‘Raila endorsement’ by the Roots party presidential candidate.

If claims that presidential candidate Professor George Wajackoya is endorsing Raila Odinga’s bid for office prove to be genuine, he and his running mate Justina Wamae could be headed in separate ways.

Professor Wajackoya was seen on camera praising the Azimio presidential candidate when he spoke to his followers on Tuesday night in a Kisumu nightclub.

However, the issue seems to have irked his running mate Justina Wamae.

The Roots Party running mate accused her boss George Wajackoyah of secretly supporting the Azimio ala Umoja coalition led by Raila Odinga.

She has promised to throw her weight behind Deputy President William Ruto if indeed Wajackoya backs Raila’s candidacy.

“It is true there are allegations that my principal and party leader is supporting Azimio la Umoja candidate but we have not discussed that as a party, we have not agreed neither have I been consulted,” said Ms. Wamae while addressing journalists. 

“If push comes to shove and we need to take a stand on who to support, out of the other three presidential candidates who are our worthy competitors, then I will support the contrary,” she added.

She insisted that the Roots Party’s top organ has not agreed on the issue and discussed the direction of supporting other candidates as they are still focused on winning the presidency.

“Our supporters were asking which way and that is why I had to speak on this,” she said. 

However, in an official statement, Wajackoyah dismissed the allegations accusing Azimio of editing the viral video to insinuate that he had endorsed Raila at an entertainment joint.

Roots party insisted that Wajackoyah is still in the Presidential race.

“We would like to categorically state that we have a presidential candidate who is on the Ballot and will win this Election. We have not and will not endorse any other candidate.

We would like to distance ourselves from those claims and assure our supporters that victory is coming,” their statement read in part.

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Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o dismisses US Embassy travel advisory against Kisumu: “Our People Are Peaceful” 

The governor of Kisumu, Anyang’ Nyong’o, has responded to a travel warning issued by the American Embassy in Nairobi advising Americans to stay away from the city ahead of the election.

Nyong’o reassured that Kisumu residents are quite calm, so there is no need for anyone to be afraid to travel there during election season.

The county executive urged those who intended to travel to the lovely lakeside city to do so without reservation.

“I want to assure those traveling to Kisumu that our people are very peaceful and looking forward to welcoming you. Enjoy our beautiful sunset city!” he said. 

The US Embassy had in a statement on Wednesday, 3, August cautioned its citizens against traveling to Kisumu for fear of an outbreak of violence. 

The embassy stated that election-related protests frequently occur in Kenya during electioneering seasons, and the approaching elections are no different.

It further said that the demonstrations periodically turn violent, necessitating police action and endangering their lives.

“Out of an abundance of caution, the Embassy has imposed movement restrictions on personnel in Kisumu. However, the State Department reminds U.S. citizens of the continued need for sustained vigilance,” read the statement. 

The Americans were also directed to avoid crowds and demonstrations and always be cautious of their surrounding. The embassy also implored its citizens to keep a low profile and, while at it, avoid displaying any signs of wealth, such as expensive jewelry or watches. 

Further, the embassy asked its people to be vigilant when visiting banks and ATMs. 

“Review your personal security plans. Have travel documents up to date and easily accessible. Carry proper identification, including a copy of the bio-page of your U.S. passport with a copy of a current Kenyan visa,” the statement further read. 

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ICT expert has poked holes into the IEBC election technology system saying it may be prone to interference.

Kenya is heading to another general election on Tuesday the 9th of August, 2022. 

The voting process is always held peacefully around the county.

However, it is during the transmission, and tallying of the results as announced at the polling station when the problem arises.

The Independent electoral commission has maintained that it is ready to preside over fair and credible elections. 

In doing so, they have sought the service of an international company, Smartmatic which will help in the technological integration of the election.

However, Many questions have been asked about the company with its past experience in elections in Uganda, the Philippines, Venezuela, and the USA.

Critics and analysts in Kenya have questioned the firm’s ability in offering a bulletproof system that cannot be compromised.

An ICT expert, Mark Obar Asuelaa in an interview with a local media said IEBC preparations have always been in question.

“Now as always, the electoral and boundaries commission IEBC tends to claim that everything is right at the very beginning, but as you can see from the reports that we have seen and also the admission from the commission itself, there are certain things that you get right. It appears the commission was already committing illegality from the onset. For example, IEBC printed more booklets specifically forms 31A, and yet each polling station only needed one. So people have to ask questions like, why are they printing more booklet? What is the intention? Then so many issues around it that they are trying to work out,” said Obar.

After the 2017 election was nullified, the IEBC opted to seek the services of Smartmatic SGO Group which is a multinational company that builds and implements electronic voting systems. They are going to help in terms of providing the best service for them and even handling the election technology. 

Smartmatic has majorly been tasked with providing election technological hardware like fingerprint scanners and other components, but not the software handling the polls. Obar sees this as a shortcoming in terms of result transmission and can affect the election outcome.

“Now, it is very hard to tell whether they will succeed or not. However, most likely they will fail especially on the transmission. They are dealing with the technology to which the provider of the physical technology in terms of hardware is a new person but previously they had worked with a French OT-Morpho, which also developed its own software. 

Therefore, their software runs on the provisions of an older supplier while the new supplier has just provided a new technology in terms of physical infrastructure like fingerprint scanners,” Obar said.

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ICT CS Joe Mucheru has affimed that the governmrnt will deal with fake tallying of the August general election results.

Information, Communications, and Technology (ICT) Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru has warned that fake tallying of votes in next week’s election.

Mucheru warned that fake tallies meant to mislead Kenyans during the electioneering period will be dealt with.

Speaking in Nairobi on Wednesday, August 3, during a meeting with mobile network operators and Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) representatives to establish areas of collaboration, Mucheru explained that the move was intended to safeguard the peace of the country after the voting day.

He added that they had put enough measures to deal with such occurrences in the election whose stakes are high.

“We assure you that if there are any fake tallies, they are going to be dealt with. Security in our country is paramount and ensuring so is having a clear communication method.

“The government is not shutting down the internet. We enjoy a democratic space and we assure you that there will be no internet shutdown,” he stated

The ICT CS also reassured Kenyans that the mechanism for transmitting results wouldn’t be hacked and warned that anyone attempting to hack the system would face consequences.

He cautioned media outlets to use cautious and warned them against spreading misleading information.

Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom, stated that his company would cover 97% of the network.

“We have now instituted a network freeze. This means that there are no new products and no one is going to do work to maintain the network unless there is an emergency. This is to avoid any interruptions or an outage in the network,” he said.

“We are mandated to provide the ‘pipe’. That does not include the server. Images taken by KIEMS kit or forms that represent accounts done by IEBC officials go to the pipe. At the end of the pipe is an IEBC server located in data centers 

With the intention of fostering openness, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) permitted different candidates to establish their own tallying centers.

Concerns have been voiced, meanwhile, about the potentially chaotic outcomes that the politicians may announce.

The IEBC chairman argued that they were the only authorized body to declare the election.

“The media houses, political parties and candidates are free to have their own parallel tally. We can all work together and have one of the peaceful elections in the country.

“You can count the results but of course do not declare. That one you leave to me,” he stated

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