Leading Civil Society Groups urges newly IEBC selection panel to shun away from political interests while recruiting new commissioners
Uchaguzi Platform observed that boundary delimitation which is now overdue, should be expedited to align with the legal timeline and avert potential litigation
The leading civil society organisations has urged the newly protracted gazetted IEBC selection panel to recruit new IEBC Commissioners with utmost independence, impartiality, transparency, and inclusivity to restore public trust which has been eroded
While addressing the Media at Double Tree by Hilton Hotel in Nairobi on Friday, 31st January, National Coordinator for Election Observation Group Mulle Musau has stated that any interference to the recruitment process will affect the integrity and credibility of the General Election
“We urge all stakeholders particularly the political class to respect the process and accord the selection panel the ample opportunity to complete it’s legal mandate so as to safeguard the integrity of the process.
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All relevant state entities including Parliament and the Presidency should expedite their roles in the recruitment and appointment process_given the 132 day timeline, it’s crucial to ensure timely and efficient execution with efforts to shorten the timeline where possible,” Musau remarked
In furtherance to the ongoing electoral litigation at the corridors of justice, Musau called upon the Judiciary to prioritise and expedite any legal matters related to the recruitment process process to avoid delays and ensure the timely completion of the task
“Uchaguzi members encourage all applicants who qualify under the law, meeting the constitutional and legal requirements, and who demonstrate aptitude integrity, and commitment, to apply for the IEBC commissioner roles upon advertisement. This will greatly contribute to the procurement of a competent commission,” he added
Uchaguzi Platform’s Observation on Electoral Agency
The electoral agency has been dysfunctional for over two years now, resulting to pending by-elections where some constituencies and wards have remained unrepresented hence disenfranchising citizens
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Due to this urgency, the platform called upon the President William Ruto to ensure adequate budgetary allocation to enable the commission ability to fulfil its core mandate in planning and executing electoral exercises
“With new voters expected to vote in 2027 and the need for an independent audit on the register of voters to enhance trust, the process of registration must begin promptly to avoid last minute rushes,” Part of the statement reads.
Electoral Reforms and NADCO Bills
Felix Odhiambo Odiwour, Executive Director, Electoral Law and Governance Institute for Africa, appreciated the NADCO’s nine legislative proposals some of which has been passed into law emphasising on Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Amendment Bill and the Political Parties Amendment Act 2024 that seeks to address long standing institutional challenges
He called for a robust and meaningful public participation on electoral reform processes that goes beyond perfunctory consultations as well as demanding genuine citizens input in the legislative process
The NADCO report chaired by Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah recommended institutional reforms some of which have been merged and others frozen to relief Kenyans from the burden of harsh economy
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“We demand a comprehensive approach that maintains transparency and accountability in governance restructuring. The forty five day window for these bills represents a crucial moment of democratic deliberation and it’s an opportunity for parliamentarians to demonstrate their commitment to truly representative governance_not just in structure, but in substantive impact on citizens’ lives,” Odiwour highlighted
Issuance of National Identification Cards and Voter Registration
While backing the statements made by her fellow colleagues, Sheila Masinde, Executive Director, Transparency International-Kenya, appealed to the National Registration Bureau to establish an expedited process for ID issuance targeting youth aged between 18 and 25 years, with clear timelinesand simplified procedures procedures
She emphasised that both county and national government should initiate regular mobile ID registration drives targeting learning institutions and youth centres by integrating service centres; combining ID registration and voter registration services at ward levels will reduce the registration timeline
“Reform the current ID application process by reducing documentation requirements while maintaining necessary security measures as well as digitizing the application process,” Masinde, a law expert recommended
She sought relevant state agencies to introduce tracking systems for applications of IDs as well as reducing fees for replacement of the same, which has seen huge number of citizens reluctant to apply for the utility