Peace and security experts have called on petitioners who went to court to stop the formation of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel to consider an out-of-court settlement so that the panel can be formed as soon as possible.
Led by Philemon Samoei, a retired military officer and peace and conflict researcher, the experts said delaying IEBC’s constitution is fertile ground for conflict in the country.
“This is a very emotive issue and I am saying this out of experience as peace and conflict researcher. This is bring conflict between the citizens and the government,” Samoei said.
Speaking exclusively to Uasin Gishu News, Samoei said President William Ruto’s hands are tied, and he can’t form the IEBC selection panel.
“We are three years into the 2027 general elections and yet there are no IEBC commissioners in place. Elections have very strict timelines in our Constitution and the government should ensure those timelines are adhered to,” he said.
The ex-military officer also expressed his concern with the delayed delimitation of boundaries.
“Boundaries review is the sole mandate of the IEBC. The last time boundaries review was in the year 2012, the next one was to be done in 2022 but we are already two years late and this is because IEBC is not properly constituted to operate,” he stated.
IEBC constitution delay: Are politicians to blame?
Meanwhile, Eliud Tormoi, a governance expert said the delay is a scheme by the political class who want to interfere with the democratic process.
“Our leaders need to own up and be responsible and do the right thing for the growth of our democracy,” Tormoi.
He said since the commission cannot conduct continuous voter registration, over 6 million Kenyans who have attained the age of maturity and acquired national identity cards have not been registered as voters.
“This is not good for our democracy. Some wards and constituencies need by-elections but that cannot happen because the commission is not properly constituted. This denies constituents their right to representation,” he added.
A section of religious leaders have been pushing for the constitution of IEBC to avert a looming constitutional crisis.
