Fears now abound on the freedom of the three key reform institutions created under the recommendations of the National Accord. The Committee of Experts (CoE), the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) and the Independent Interim boundaries Review Commission (IIBRC) seem under siege from the other authorities on their independence in carrying out their mandate.

Two days ago, Internal Security Minister George Saitoti announced the creation of new divisions in Bomachoge, a move seen as geared at wooing votes towards the PNU candidate Mr Joel Onyancha. There are also reports of infighting among members of the Committee of Experts that was revealed three days ago through terse letters top officials are writing to each other. On Monday the LSK Chairman called for the intervention of Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo to sort it out.

While Saitoti defended his action as aimed at taking services closer to the people, questions are now being raised to as their timing.

A day earlier the PM Raila Odinga while campaigning in the area declared goodies to both Bomachge and Shinyalu constituents a move that has elicited sharp reactions. Safina candidate Cyprian Nyamwamu said the move by PNU and ODM amounted to advance rigging and called on the IIEC to act.

But PNU Vice-Chairman George Nyamweya defended the Government saying the move did not amount to intimidation of the two reform bodies. Nyamweya said constituents in Bomachoge and Shinyalu will eventually decide on the development record of the candidates. Safina party leader Paul Muite has questioned the misuse of Government resources in the campaigns and the independence of the IIBRC.  "If the IIBRC is expected to go around the country to collect views on areas they wanted adjusted, how will they handle the newly created administrative units" posed Muite.

Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua protested at the use of Government resources to campaign saying it amounted to voter bribery. IIBRC chairman Andrew Ligale has protested at what his team terms gross interference to their work and appealed to the Government to keep off.‘Despite the interference so far, we will collect views and report back to Parliament," said a frustrated Ligale. On the other hand, the PM’s office is on record demanding for transparency and competitive hiring of staff to the Interim Independent Electoral Commission.

The PM said the IIEC was crucial to free and fair elections and that its staff must be non-partisan and competent to discharge their duties. Raila, through his Adviser on Coalition Affairs Miguna MIguna singled out the appointment of Commission Secretary Kennedy KIhara saying his appointment was unacceptable as laid down procedures were not followed.

" Can Kihara be effective at the IIEC given that he holds two onerous substantive positions at the Office of the President while also serving on boards of State Corporations?" posed Miguna. But the IIEC Chairman Ahmed Issac Hassan denied his commission favoured Kihara. He said Kihara had been seconded to the Commission for a period of 90 days starting May.