The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) has chastised Juliana Cherera, Vice Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), and three other commissioners for “poor mathematics.”
The institute established by the US Congress in 1984 stated in a report on the recently concluded August 9 polls that the percentage error claimed by commissioners could not significantly change the results.
The report, which was released on Thursday, August 18, made reference to the commissioners’ claims that the percentages of four presidential candidates were 0.01 points higher than the 100 percent mark.
The Institute, on the other hand, stated that the division within the Commission could have an impact on Kenyans’ perceptions of the Commission and the processes used in the recently concluded polls.
“The supposed errors the commissioners identify are the result of rounding percentages to two decimal places, rather than three (or more), and, in any case, would not change the outcome.
“Poor mathematics aside, this public display of division in the Commission only fuels doubts about the electoral commission’s competence,” read the report in a part.
Francis Wanderi, Justus Nyangaya, and Irene Masit are among the other commissioners who have expressed dissatisfaction with the presidential election results.
Furthermore, USIP credited IEBC for making the electoral process transparent by publishing Form 34 A – C on the public portal.
Regarding the two leading presidential candidates, the peace institute noted that Ruto’s agenda was more appealing to his supporters than that of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, despite opinion polls projecting an ODM win.
According to the body, Ruto’s supporters outnumbered Raila’s in large numbers, particularly in the Coast region.
“Voter turnout in Ruto-supporting areas seems to have made the difference. Although Ruto led the vote in only 20 out of Kenya’s 47 counties, turnout in those counties exceeded 70 percent.
“Meanwhile, turnout in the 27 counties Odinga won was just under 64 percent, and only one Odinga-supporting county surpassed 75 percent turnout. This suggests voters were more enthusiastic about Ruto’s candidacy,” added the Institute.