The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Boss Shollei, has dared political figures who assert that the 2022 August elections were not transparent to step down and cease holding themselves to different standards.
On Monday, Shollei said on Citizen TV's Daybreak Show that while opposition leaders are criticizing the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for evidently tampering with the presidential election results, they are still enjoying the positions they hold and are chosen for by the same commission.
Hence, Shollei said that if the leaders genuinely believe that the IEBC did not conduct a fair election, they should step down, stand up for what they believe in, and stop using double-talk.
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She referred to the senators Richard Onyonka (Kisii) and Dan Maanzo (Makueni), who appeared on the same program, and stated, "When they claim that they feel the elections were botched and the present commission didn't do a good job, these people elected in an election organized by the same commission."
"Because they must stand by their assertion that these elections were improperly conducted, they should first resign from their positions. Nonetheless, they are reaping the benefits of the election that was overseen by the same commission. That is using double standards and double language."
Senator Onyonka asserted that the electoral commission will always be compromised if most House members choose their favoured candidates for the commission. Shollei, who also serves as the Uasin Gishu Women representative, refuted this assertion.
Onyonka further asserted that the purported electoral scuffles between the government and the opposition in August 2022 resulted from the same trend.
"You are aware of the difficulties the IEBC has faced in holding legally compliant elections. And it is evident from how the August election was conducted that this country is deeply divided "added he.
"Please tell your people that the way this country is run will absolutely change if you pick commissioners who will be in the commission, disregarding what the other side feels."
In her refutation, Shollei insisted that the National Assembly follow the law's requirements for the selection process.
According to Article 250 of the Constitution, a commission's chairperson and each member must be chosen and recommended for appointment by national legislation, with approval from the National Assembly and selection by the President.
