Karua wants IEBC servers opened, says ‘whistleblowers’ data crucial

Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua now wants Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) servers used in the August 9, 2022, presidential election to be opened for scrutiny.

In a series of tweets on Sunday, January 22, Karua said whistleblowers have released “crucial data” that can lay bare how the presidential election was conducted.

“The truth shall not be forgotten, shall not and cannot be buried, the truth will always be out. The time is now.

“As citizens, we have a right to information, the truth lies in the servers. Those doubting the whistle-blowers’ data should demand servers be laid bare.

“We have to get to the bottom of this to free Kenya once and for all from electoral deceit,” she tweeted.

Karua was Raila Odinga’s running in the presidential election under the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition.

The pair lost to Kenya Kwanza’s presidential candidate William Ruto and his running mate Rigathi Gachagua.

“IEBC as the duty bearer holds the records on our behalf. The records belong to us and all power is exercised by each and every office on our behalf, wherever you are, whoever you are listen and do what the constitution sanctions, lay bare the servers!” She stated.

Karua, however, said Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Ruto’s win was final and the Azimio team is not challenging it.

“The Supreme Court is functus official, its work is done. Under discussion is crucial evidence via a whistleblower, which on the face of it is authentic, anybody doubting we have our records to refer to aka servers period,” she added.

IEBC’s whistleblower

Karua’s sentiments came ahead of Raila’s “public baraza” on Monday, January 23 at Kamukunji grounds in Nairobi upon his return from South Africa.

In a statement sent to newsrooms by his spokesman Dennis Onyango, Raila stated that he will address his supporters on the damning report released by an IEBC whistleblower on the alleged manipulation of the August 9 presidential election.

“The Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga returns to the country on Monday, 23rd January 2023. He is expected to land at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 11 am.

“Upon arrival, Mr. Odinga will proceed to the Kamukunji grounds in Kamukunji Constituency, for a People’s Baraza consultations with the public where they will discuss recent disclosures by a whistle-blower on the conduct of the 2022 general election. Mr. Odinga appeals to Kenyans to show up in large numbers at the Kamukunji Baraza, in the interest of the country,” the statement read in part.

The controversial report was on Wednesday, January 18 brought to the limelight by Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni.

During his press briefing, Kioni promised that Raila, who is currently in South Africa in his capacity as the AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa, would give a comprehensive statement upon his return.

Speaking at the presser, Kioni claimed that Azimio leader Raila Odinga won the August 9 elections with 8,170,355 votes representing 57.53 per cent of the votes cast.

The former Ndaragwa MP claimed that the research done by Vanguard Africa, which he stated is a non-profit organization, indicates that President Ruto mustered 5,915,973 votes that represent 41.66 per cent of votes cast.

Kioni further stated that the report by the organization, which he claimed partners with pro-democracy leaders across Africa, showed that presidential results in 59 per cent of the 290 constituencies could not be verified with absolute certainty.

“We’ve seen that 59% of the constituencies cannot be verified with absolute certainty. What can be verified is, Raila Odinga won the elections with 8,170,355 votes representing 57.53% of the votes cast. Ruto got 5,915,973 votes, representing 41.66%.

“A casual peruse of the document; we have seen that at one point 144 constituencies had their results verified and often at times, those results are far from the results that were announced by IEBC,” he added.