The continued delay in the recruitment process for Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners is raising concerns in a number of constituencies and wards that still have no representatives.
Despite being fully constituted, the IEBC secretariat is unable to make key decisions that facilitate election supervision.
The situation has been exacerbated by numerous court cases challenging the process, which National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula wants to remove.
“I want to appeal to the chief justice that all the cases in court legitimately challenging this process to be fast-tracked,” Wetangula says.
During a Sunday service at Chebukwa Catholic Church in Bungoma County’s Kabuchai Constituency, Wetangula expressed concern about the lack of representation in various constituencies and wards, many of which are still vacant.
“We have many wards and constituencies that need to have by-election…Without commissioners, we cannot move,” he said.
The Banisa Constituency, for example, has been without a member of parliament for months.
A by-election will also be held in Ugunja, following President Ruto’s appointment of area MP Opiyo Wandayi as Energy Cabinet Secretary.
Civil society groups affiliated with the Uchaguzi platform argue that continued delays in the commission’s appointment will deprive Kenyans of their right to representation.
Although President William Ruto signed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Amendment Bill, 2024 into law on July 9, 2024, allowing the selection panel to recruit new commissioners, the process has been stalled due to court delays.
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