President William Ruto has issued a directive to the Independent Boundaries and Electoral Commission (IEBC) selection committee following the death of Malava MP Injendi Malulu.
Speaking during Malulu’s send-off in Kakamega on Tuesday, March 4, Ruto directed the IEBC selection panel to expedite the process of choosing the IEBC chairperson and commissioners.
“I already approved the committee that is seeking new IEBC commissioners. I urge those involved to expedite the process so that we can have a new IEBC in place,” Ruto said.
“The people of Malava deserve the opportunity to elect their representative, and I am ready to assist in making sure this happens.”
IEBC Delay Causes Regions to Remain Without Representation
Malava constituency joins other constituencies and wards currently lacking representation in their respective legislative bodies, as by-elections have been delayed due to the lack of a quorum in the IEBC.
At least 14 electoral areas require by-elections for members of the National Assembly, including seven ward seats left vacant due to the deaths of Members of County Assemblies (MCAs).
Also Read: IEBC Delay: List of Constituencies, Wards and Counties Left Without Representation
The Constitution dictates that whenever a vacancy occurs in an electoral area, a by-election should be held within 90 days.
The commission has been without commissioners since the exit of former Chairman, the late Wafula Chebukati and commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye, whose tenures ended in January 2023.
Four others—Juliana Cherera, Francis Wanderi, Justus Nyang’aya, and Irene Masit—were removed from office following their dissent against the 2022 presidential election results.
Ruto Appoints IEBC Selection Panel
President Ruto appointed the IEBC selection panel in January this year to oversee the process of selecting IEBC Commissioners.
The appointment was made through a Special Gazette Notice published on Monday, following a nearly 3-year delay that caused political upheaval.
Also Read: Bell Palsy: IEBC Selection Panel Chair Opens Up About Waking Up with a Twisted Face
The delay in the appointment process was due to numerous court cases and political disputes.
After the panel was sworn in, it proceeded to call for applications from qualified and interested individuals through advertisements placed in the print media in February 2025.
The IEBC secretariat, led by CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan, has been restricted to routine functions, such as staff training and procurement of non-strategic materials.
However, it cannot undertake critical tasks like delimiting electoral boundaries or conducting by-elections, which require the full commission to be in place.
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