Has the Jubilee government panicked

 

 

 There now appears to be considerable panic within the corridors of power—an unprecedented level of anxiety. To provide context, let’s go back to the period leading up to the elections.

At that time, there was palpable unease within government circles concerning the announcement of parallel tallying centers. For keen observers, this was puzzling because, during the 2013 elections, TNA (the president’s party at the time) had operated its own tallying center. This center was instrumental in processing and managing electoral data during that period. Furthermore, it was widely known that TNA’s tallying center utilized computers connected to the same servers as those of the IEBC.

This raises an important question: why was the establishment of parallel tallying centers by NASA in 2017 such a contentious issue?

A History of Resistance to Parallel Tallying Centers

Before the elections, there was a reported raid on one of NASA’s tallying centers. The authorities denied the raid occurred, yet there was clear evidence of disruption—damaged equipment, cut wires, and confiscated computers. This left many wondering who was responsible for the destruction.

NASA later revealed that it had multiple tallying centers, even outside the country, such as in Germany and Tanzania. The government expressed strong opposition to these centers, citing constitutional grounds, despite the precedent set by TNA in 2013.

During the election, NASA invited the press to one of its tallying centers in Runda. However, the event was interrupted when unidentified individuals, later identified as police officers, entered the premises. Shortly afterward, a police raid ensued, but key materials had already been removed. This pattern of disruption continued with other raids, including one targeting NASA’s offices in Westlands.

The Government’s Motive

The repeated raids suggest that the government was keen on preventing any independent record of the election process that could later be used as evidence in court. This appears to have been an effort to ensure no tangible proof could challenge the integrity of the election results.

A Broader Crackdown on Civil Society

The pattern extended beyond NASA. Civil society organizations and NGOs also faced increased scrutiny, with allegations of tax evasion and impropriety. However, many organizations denied these claims, arguing they had complied with all legal requirements. This targeting of NGOs has been a long-standing trend since the current administration took office, reflecting the government’s unease with independent bodies monitoring its actions.

The Supreme Court Case

After the elections, NASA filed a petition with the Supreme Court, presenting over 25,000 documents. Interestingly, it emerged that the legal team preparing the petition had to work in secrecy, frequently changing locations due to concerns about raids. Their final preparations reportedly took place at Raila Odinga’s residence in Karen, highlighting the lengths they went to protect their case.

What Was the Government Looking For?

The consistent raids and disruptions suggest the government was searching for something critical—perhaps evidence that could undermine its narrative. This indicates that certain aspects of the election plan were left incomplete, leading to vulnerabilities in their case.

A Fighting Chance for Justice

Unlike in 2013, there seems to be hope this time for overturning what many perceive as a sham election. The government’s apparent panic and lack of preparation give the Kenyan people a chance to challenge the legitimacy of the process.

As we approach the Supreme Court hearings, it is clear that the unfolding events have exposed significant flaws in the electoral system. This could mark a turning point for the country’s democracy.