Stop the blame game on picking new IEBC team

The ongoing delays in reconstituting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) have sparked a blame game among key stakeholders. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has blamed the Judiciary, saying the government’s hands are tied due to ongoing legal proceedings. Politicians have accused one another of using the court process to delay the appointment of new commissioners.

The IEBC plays a critical role in organising free, fair and credible elections and any delays in its reconstitution could erode public confidence in future electoral processes.

The Judiciary’s role in safeguarding constitutionalism should not be undermined, but it should expedite cases affecting institutions of national importance. Prolonged legal battles only create room for unnecessary speculation. On the other hand, the Executive must demonstrate proactive leadership by fostering dialogue among stakeholders to resolve bottlenecks without compromising the rule of law. Political players must rise above partisan interests and prioritise the nation’s stability.

The Judiciary and the Executive should collaborate to expedite this process with Parliament offering legislative support where necessary. All stakeholders must act with urgency to reconstitute the IEBC and safeguard the democratic ideals enshrined in our Constitution. Time is of the essence.

Ayub Njuguna, Egerton University

The IEBC debacle is solely due to the selfish and uncaring nature of our politicians. They want the matter to drag so that it is brought up at the tail end when there is very little time left for the IEBC to adequately prepare to conduct elections. This will give them an opportunity to rush things and in the process manipulate the electoral process in their favour.

The three arms of the government—Executive, Legislator and Judiciary share the blame for the current state of affairs. They should take full responsibility for any eventuality.

Opiyo Oduwo, Kisumu

It is indeed absurd that the current focus is on the selection committee instead of appointment of credible commissioners to the IEBC.

The commission plays a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of Kenya’s elections, and it’s essential to have competent and impartial commissioners. The selection committee’s role is to identify suitable commissioners, but its appointment seems to be getting more attention than that of the actual commissioners.

Fred Sagala, Washington, USA