Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has urged individuals challenging the constitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel to withdraw their cases to facilitate the urgent reconstitution of the electoral agency. Speaking on Monday during the launch of the ICT Digital Hub and Digital Economy Conference at Kakamega County Polytechnic, Mudavadi emphasized the need for swift action, warning that delays could jeopardize preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Mudavadi accused certain political leaders of using court cases as proxies to derail the IEBC reconstitution process, attributing their actions to malice. He stressed that both President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga had reached a consensus on the importance of establishing a new commission, and any attempts to stall this progress were counterproductive.
“Most Kenyans, led by our political leaders, agree on the necessity of reconstituting the IEBC. However, a few leaders, driven by malice, are frustrating this process through the courts,” Mudavadi said. He urged those involved to prioritize the nation’s interests over political bickering.
Legal and Political Impasse
The IEBC reconstitution has become a contentious issue, with political factions clashing over representation on the selection panel. Justice Isaac Lenaola of the Supreme Court recently criticized Parliament for neglecting critical legislation, including laws necessary to facilitate the reconstitution of the IEBC.
Lenaola highlighted the urgency of establishing the commission, pointing out that time was running out, with just three years left to the next general election. “Elections are in 2027; this is 2024. When will this commission prepare for the polls if it’s constituted too late?” he asked during a conference on digital and social media use in elections.
The Azimio coalition’s internal disagreements have exacerbated the situation. Augustus Kyalo Muli, the elected Azimio representative for the IEBC selection panel, has been challenged by the Wiper Party, which backs lawyer Koki Muli for the position. Kyalo, who won the election facilitated by the political parties liaison committee, has moved to court to defend his selection.
Kyalo expressed his frustration, stating, “I won squarely and was issued a certificate. No one else has the authority to claim this position.” Justice Lenaola questioned why such disputes were delaying the reconstitution of a crucial institution, accusing Azimio of holding the country hostage over internal disagreements.
Focus on Delivering Promises
Mudavadi also called on leaders to shift their focus from political wrangles to implementing their manifestos, noting that time was of the essence with just two years left before the next elections. “The electorate will evaluate leaders based on their performance in the remaining 24 months. It’s crucial that we dedicate this time to fulfilling our promises,” he said.
The Prime CS praised the Kenya Kwanza government’s efforts to digitize public services, citing the successful onboarding of 22,000 government services online. He proposed digitalizing police recruitment and occurrence books (OBs) to promote transparency and curb corruption.
“In the spirit of transparency, the first stage of police recruitment will be conducted online to eliminate middlemen. Additionally, we plan to digitize OBs to prevent tampering with case records,” Mudavadi explained.
Paving the Way for Electoral Preparedness
As the 2027 general elections draw closer, Mudavadi underscored the importance of a functioning IEBC to oversee by-elections, boundary reviews, and other electoral preparations. He urged all parties to set aside their differences and work collaboratively to establish a credible electoral commission.
“Kenya’s democracy depends on a strong, impartial IEBC. Let us not let political gamesmanship undermine this critical institution,” he concluded.
The call for unity and focus comes as Kenya seeks to balance political stability and development in the run-up to the next elections.
