Willis Otieno Advocates for Removal of National Tallying Centre in Elections
City lawyer Willis Otieno has ignited a fiery debate, advocating for a significant overhaul of Kenya’s electoral process. He argues that the Bomas of Kenya, the current national polling center, should be abolished to safeguard the integrity of future elections.
Otieno, speaking on Spice FM, proposed a radical shift: conducting presidential elections at the constituency level. He asserts that Bomas of Kenya’s proximity to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) fosters an environment ripe for manipulation. This assertion aligns with previous court rulings that highlight the potential for electoral malpractices.
“The core issue with the IEBC,” Otieno stated, “is the excessive power it wields. The political elite seem to believe that controlling the IEBC and Bomas equates to controlling the outcome.”
He further emphasized his point, “Based on my extensive experience with electoral processes, I firmly believe that achieving free and fair elections necessitates eliminating the national tallying center at Bomas.”
Otieno referenced Article 138 of the Constitution, which he interprets as mandating presidential elections to be managed at the constituency level. He highlighted the 2015 Maina Kiai case, where the High Court and Court of Appeal supported this interpretation, although it was never fully implemented.
“The essence of that ruling,” Otieno explained, “was that results should be counted and announced at the polling station, followed by a constituency-level tally. Presidential elections should therefore be managed by constituency returning officers.”
Currently, Constituency Returning Officers (CROs) transport Form 34A (polling station results) and Form 34B (constituency-level tally) to Bomas. The IEBC then verifies these results against electronic transmissions. The national tally, Form 34C, is compiled from all 290 constituencies and diaspora votes.
While the Constitution doesn’t explicitly mandate Bomas as the national tallying center, the IEBC uses it for logistical reasons. Otieno’s proposal emerges as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Elections, amidst ongoing interviews for the IEBC Chairperson.
The upcoming elections are poised to be politically charged, with President William Ruto facing challenges from various political contenders, including former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whose 2027 intentions remain unclear.
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Willis Otieno Advocates for Removal of National Tallying Centre in Elections
