The United States has raised concerns over the delayed appointment of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners.
IEBC has been without commissioners since January 2023 following retirement and resignation of some commissioners including former Chairperson Wafula Chebukati who served for six years.
In a statement on Wednesday, October 23, the US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman raised concerns over the delay after the Commission hosted her for a meeting at its Headquarters to discuss areas of mutual collaboration.
Whitman warned that the delayed recruitment of commissioners puts the ability of the US to support democracy in Kenya at a risk.
“The inability to support democracy in Kenya is at risk without the recruitment of commissioners or parliamentary action to provide IEBC funding for voter registration, by-elections, and other election activities. The United States supports Kenya’s democracy through USAID,” said Whitman in a statement.
The U.S. Ambassador to Kenya has further affirmed that her country will continue to support the IEBC’s efforts in fulfilling its mandate to deliver free, fair, inclusive and transparent elections.
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IEBC CEO meets US Delegation
In his remarks, IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan highlighted the importance of assistance from development partners like the USAID, noting that their support plays a crucial role in facilitating the Commission’s operations.
Marjan expressed further expressed gratitude to the support granted by the US during the last General election.
“We appreciate all development partners and donors for the tremendous support given to the IEBC before, during and after the 2022 General Election. The Commission is confronted with numerous challenges, including budgetary constraints that are hampering its operations,” said the CEO.
It has been over three months since President William Ruto assented to the IEBC Bill, which set the stage for the reconstitution of the electoral body through the appointment of commissioners and a chairperson in preparation for the 2027 general election.
The IEBC Bill signed by President Ruto on July 9 this year was backed by a recommendation by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO).
Selection panel
However, the reconstitution has hit a stall due to the delayed nomination process for the IEBC selection panel, responsible for recruiting the commissioners, which has been thrown into disarray.
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According to the IEBC Act of 2011, the appointment of the chairperson and members of the commission is to be made by a selection panel appointed by the President within 14 days of a vacancy declaration or at least six months before the current officials’ terms lapse.
The selection panel must invite applications from qualified individuals, consider them, shortlist candidates, and conduct interviews.
In February 2023, President Ruto appointed a seven-member selection panel via a Gazette notice.
This panel began its work, advertising vacancies and receiving applications for the positions of chairperson and commissioners of IEBC.
The process was however halted pending the bipartisan NADCO dialogue between the Kenya Kwanza government and the Azimio-One Kenya coalition. This dialogue proposed expanding the selection panel.
Members of Parliament agreed to dissolve the initial panel to accommodate changes in the IEBC Amendment Bill, 2024, which increases the panel’s size from seven to nine members.
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