The Punguza Mizigo push has run into turbulent waters. Elections Observer Group (ELOG) is claiming the IEBC did not invite the public or any third parties to oversee the verification of the signatures, which the group says are not authentic. ELOG says the verification exercise was shrouded in secrecy and the signatures were not uniform, something that exposed the Punguza Mizigo drive to litigation.
”The IEBC okeyed 1.2 million signatures submitted by the promoters of the punguza mzigo initiative without giving Kenyans an opportunity to ascertain if indeed the said signatures were given with their consent,” said the group’s national coordinator Mulle Musau .
Mr Masau went ahead to claim the signatures that were reviewed by the IEBC, number of listed voters had similar ID numbers while some forms had missing details like ID numbers and signatures, further impugning the process. He also said a number of Kenyans had their details used without their consent and as such it was raises the legality of the whole process.
“The IEBC okeyed 1.2 million signatures submitted by the promoters of the punguza mzigo initiative without giving Kenyans an opportunity to ascertain if indeed the said signatures were given with their consent,” he added.
The group questioned transparency of the entire process given it did not employ the use of its biometric devices to collect the data of voters thus putting a question on the authenticity of the collection signatures.
“This is a critical issue that would further authenticate the process, enhance transparency and avoid unnecessary litigation,” they said.
