Kenya’s Parliament has cleared all seven nominees for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), ensuring their formal appointment before the 2027 general elections.
The Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) vetted the nominees, assessed their qualifications, and declared them suitable to serve. The approved candidates include Erastus Edung Ethekon as Chairperson, along with commissioners Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Arafat Abdallah.
Although the High Court temporarily halted the vetting process due to procedural concerns, Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula insisted that Parliament proceed. He argued that no institution should obstruct Parliament from fulfilling its mandate. As a result, lawmakers deliberated, debated, and eventually approved the nominees.
Opposition leaders immediately condemned the approval, pointing out that the nominees have close ties to the ruling party. They claimed that political influence compromised the commission’s integrity, reducing its ability to conduct fair elections. Furthermore, they argued that the selection process lacked transparency and failed to uphold the independence needed to protect democracy.
Some opposition figures vowed to challenge the appointments in court. They insisted that an electoral commission influenced by political interests could undermine Kenya’s democratic principles. Therefore, they demanded reforms, accountability, and assurances of neutrality in the commission’s operations.
With the IEBC now fully constituted, officials must focus on crucial preparations for the 2027 elections. They need to update voter registration, oversee upcoming by-elections, and implement necessary reforms. However, delays in the reconstitution process raise concerns about whether the commission has enough time to accomplish these tasks effectively.
Despite these challenges, the approval of the nominees marks a significant milestone in stabilizing Kenya’s electoral framework. Nonetheless, ongoing concerns about impartiality and political influence suggest that debates over the IEBC’s independence will continue. As Kenya approaches the 2027 elections, the credibility of the commission remains a crucial issue shaping the country’s political landscape.
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