The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has addressed a statement circulating online, which claimed that the Commission’s Chairperson, Erastus Ethekon, had issued a directive on the possible dissolution of Parliament.
This comes following the statement shared widely on social media, alleging that IEBC had already initiated steps to prepare for fresh elections, supposedly in response to an impending ruling by the Supreme Court. The post suggested that IEBC was ready to oversee fresh elections for Members of the National Assembly and Senate—implying the Commission had confirmed action on the matter.
However, IEBC on Wednesday, August 20, flagged the statement as fake news, warning the public against falling for such misinformation.
The flagged document claimed that IEBC would be guided by Articles 101 and 261 of the Constitution, and that fresh elections for Members of the National Assembly and Senate would be held within 90 days of a presidential proclamation.
IEBC flags statement purporting to give direction on dissolving Parliament
It also asserted that this would be a full parliamentary election — not by-elections — and that the Presidency and county governments would not be affected, continuing to operate uninterrupted.
Also Read: IEBC Explains Why it Chose to Conduct By-Elections in November
The statement further claimed that IEBC was “fully constituted and operational” and ready to discharge this constitutional mandate, urging Kenyans and political actors to remain calm, verify information, and respect the rule of law.
“The Commission confirms that it is fully constituted and operational and therefore prepared to discharge this constitutional mandate if called upon.
We urge all Kenyans, political actors, and institutions to remain calm, respect the rule of law, and allow the process to unfold in accordance with our constitutional order,” part of the flagged statement read.
This development comes amid an ongoing petition challenging the legitimacy of the current Parliament over its failure to implement the two-thirds gender rule.
Bid to dissolve Parliament over the two-thirds gender rule escalated to CJ Koome
In July 2025, the High Court made a significant move by referring a case seeking to compel President William Ruto to dissolve Parliament to Chief Justice Martha Koome for the empanelment of a three-judge bench.
The petition, filed in 2022 by activists Margaret Toili, Eddah Marete, and Agnes Ndonji, argues that the current 13th Parliament is in breach of the Constitution and should be dissolved — echoing a 2020 advisory by retired Chief Justice David Maraga.
Also Read: Fresh Pressure on Ruto to Dissolve Govt Before 2027
Delivering the ruling, Justice Lawrence Mugambi noted that the constitutional issues raised were identical to nine other petitions filed in 2020, all centering on Parliament’s failure to uphold the two-thirds gender rule.
Justice Mugambi emphasized that this was not just a concern for the previous (12th) Parliament, but a recurring constitutional crisis that affects each new Parliament unless definitively resolved.
The current petitioners are pushing for the implementation of Maraga’s 2020 advisory, which had recommended the dissolution of Parliament to former President Uhuru Kenyatta, arguing that the advice was never limited to just the 12th Parliament but applies equally to the 13th.
Justice Mugambi referred the matter to CJ Koome for consolidation with the other similar petitions and assignment to the same bench, following a request by the Speakers of both Houses who argued for a unified hearing of all cases stemming from the Maraga advisory.
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