Rigathi Gachagua in a past event at State House, Kenya// Photo Courtesy.
While attending a church service at PCEA Mwiki in Kasarani, Nairobi, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged the government to move with speed and reconstitute the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Claiming that divergent voices are essential, the leader said that the government should listen to what Kenyans demand, since they are the ones who placed various leaders to power.
Gachagua called on the government to reconstitute the electoral body urgently, so that Kenyans can anticipate credible electoral process. The ex DP emphasized on the Kriegler report that stipulated that electoral body should be constituted three years before General Elections are conducted. It only remains less than three years to 2027.
“We are calling for the constitution of IEBC urgently and as of yesterday , so that the process can be credible as the expected outcome,” urged Gachagua.
Yesterday, former Public Service Cabinet Secretary and Senior Advisor to the Economic Advisors at State House, Hon. Moses Kuria gave out an ultimatum, underscoring that the selection panel that was constituted is quorate and therefore, the IEBC should advertise for the commissioners posts latest December 13, 2024.
“Even without the WIPER representative at the IEBC Selection Panel, I agree with Justice Lenaola. The Panel is Quorate. I urge the other members to meet on Monday and kick off the process of advertising for IEBC Commissioners latest by Friday 13th December. We are living dangerously without an electoral body,” asserted Kuria.
IEBC has been operating without commissioners following the unceremonious exit of Juliana Cherera who was the vice chair of the commission and other three commissioners namely; Francis Wanderi, Irene Masit and Justus Nyang’aya.
Additionally, the Chairperson of the Commission, Mr. Wafula Chebukati and other two commissioners; Prof. Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu retired upon expiry of their terms.
The increased public outcry on the reconstitution of the IEBC was propelled by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Isaac Lenaola who on Thursday, criticised the Executive and the Parliament over laxity in executing laws that are important to the people.
Speaking at the Regional Conference on the use of Artificial Intelligence, Digital and Social media in elections in Kenya, Lenaola said that Kenya is dangerously living without the IEBC, questioning when will the commission be constituted and ready to hold elections.
“I am one of those Judges who are not limited in expressing my mind. I speak my mind. Mtanipeleka wapi? si Manyata ni hapa Samburu. I don’t understand why we are busy passing legislation very quickly on other subjects that are politically important but we don’t look at what is extremely important for this country,” he said.
“For example the Electoral Commission, how can a country like ours stand on her feet if we do not have an electoral commission? Elections are in 2027, this is 2024, when will this commission be prepared?” continued Lenaola.
