Former Azimio chief agent, Saitabao Ole Kanchory, has once again voiced concerns over Kenya’s electoral system, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability. He warns that unless past election irregularities are addressed, future elections remain vulnerable to manipulation.
Kanchory has also been outspoken in his criticism of President William Ruto’s leadership, arguing that his style of governance reflects a belief that he can remain in power without genuine public support.
According to Kanchory, Ruto’s confidence in securing another term through questionable means has resulted in poor leadership and a lack of commitment to serving the people. He believes that if elections were truly free and fair, leaders would work harder to deliver real change, knowing that their re-election depends on the will of the people.
He further states that election fraud is one of the main causes of bad leadership in the country. When leaders assume office through dishonest means, they lack the motivation to serve the citizens effectively. Instead, they prioritize personal interests, knowing that public opinion has little influence on their political survival.
Kanchory also highlights the dangers of accepting electoral fraud as normal. He argues that the common practice of moving on after a disputed election damages the country's democratic system. According to him, if election rigging is not addressed, it will continue to undermine Kenya’s progress and stability.
Moreover, he points out that the Supreme Court’s role in election disputes is limited. Due to time constraints and the complexity of election cases, the court cannot always provide a thorough resolution. To prevent future election fraud, Kanchory suggests introducing a structured electoral audit after every election. This, he believes, would help identify weaknesses in the system and prevent them from being exploited.
Kanchory also questions why opposition leader Raila Odinga, who once demanded access to the election servers, has now gone silent after reconciling with President Ruto. He insists that the issue should not be overlooked, as many Kenyans endured hardships during protests advocating for electoral transparency.
He warns that unless the truth about the past election is uncovered, history is likely to repeat itself. Kanchory urges both leaders and citizens to push for a fair and honest electoral process to safeguard Kenya’s democracy.
