By OUR CORRESPONDENT
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel to expedite the nomination and appointment of Commissioners.
Wetang’ula stressed that a fully constituted commission is critical for ensuring the timely conduct of by-elections and advancing the vital process of boundaries delimitation.
The nine-member selection panel, gazetted by President William Ruto and sworn in on Monday, is tasked with recruiting nominees for the positions of chairperson and members of the IEBC.
The panel includes Kiome Lindah Gakii, Oloo Adams, James Evans Misati, Nicodemus Kipchirchir Bore, Koki Muli Grignon, Carolene Kituku, Tanui Andrew Kipkoech, Nelson Makanda, and Fatuma Saman.
Speaker Wetang’ula lamented the delays in reconstituting the IEBC, attributing them to prolonged legal battles challenging the selection panel’s composition and operations.
These delays, he noted, have created uncertainty and hindered the commission’s ability to fulfill its mandate.
“We have lost valuable time being embroiled in court processes, which has cast doubt on the possibility of revisiting the boundaries delimitation process,” the Speaker said.
He clarified that the Constitution firmly embeds the current 290 constituencies, making it impossible to create additional constituencies.
However, he pointed out that demographic-based adjustments could allow the IEBC to redraw boundaries by redistributing populations within existing constituencies.
“The only changes possible will involve demographic adjustments, but there will be no increase in the total number of constituencies,” he explained, urging Members of Parliament to support the IEBC in carrying out this task once the new commissioners are in office.
On his part, Leader of the Majority Party Kimani Ichung’wah echoed the Speaker’s sentiments, noting widespread disquiet over the delays in reconstituting the IEBC.
He emphasized the National Assembly’s compliance with the High Court’s ruling by enacting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendment) Act, 2023, which facilitated the formation of the selection panel.
With the panel now operational, Ichung’wah urged it to act swiftly and transparently to identify individuals of integrity capable of steering the IEBC effectively.
“There are various constituencies that remain unrepresented, leaving citizens disenfranchised for far too long. It’s imperative that these gaps are addressed as a priority,” he said.
