IEBC needs transparency, clarity to regain public trust - Mohamed Dagane
He insisted that educating the public on their rights and electoral duties must be a central part of IEBC's operations.
Restoring confidence in the electoral commission requires a strong focus on transparency and sticking to the law, former Nairobi county executive Mohamed Dagane has told the IEBC selection panel.
The IEBC commissioner nominee said that for IEBC to succeed in its mandate, it must communicate clearly and regularly with Kenyans, especially on how they can engage with the electoral process. He said his background in communications positions him to help the commission reach a wide audience and keep them informed.
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He added that educating the public on their rights and electoral duties must be a central part of IEBC's operations.
According to him, simplicity and openness are the most effective tools to ensure public trust in elections.
“We have to be open with all stakeholders to be able to steer IEBC and achieve its mandate. We must be able to communicate robustly with the public, make sure they are informed about their rights and how they are supposed to engage… It is important to keep IEBC simple,” he said.
Mohamed said that while working in Nairobi County, he handled multiple groups, including county assembly members, civil society, and contractors, each with different expectations.
He told the panel that even under pressure, he chose to follow the law and avoid being influenced by individual interests.
“You will find people approaching you to serve them in their interests and various ways, so I have been straightforward in working with them, also telling them that they need to work within the laws. My work was basically to do with strategy formulation, and I was able to stand on my feet and say no,” Mohamed told the panel.
He stressed that being firm and guided by principles helped him navigate a politically sensitive environment, and this approach would help him serve well in the IEBC if appointed.
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