Deputy President (DP) Kithure Kindiki has called for a speedy removal of all bottlenecks derailing the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel.
Prof Kindiki said the country’s democracy was at stake without a functioning electoral body.
Speaking at Chebuyusi Boys High School in Navakholo, Kakamega County during a church service, the deputy president said that the government was ready to have a new IEBC in place but was restricted by an ongoing court process.
“Our hands as the government are tied. We have been held hostage because we cannot defy the courts and force a re-establishment of a new IEBC. We therefore plead with our fellow Kenyans who stopped the process to withdraw the petitions for the country to move forward,” said Prof Kindiki.
Some individuals had moved to court to block the reconstitution of a selection panel which would appoint new IEBC commissioners.
The DP challenged the petitioners to consider the greater good of the nation by allowing the courts to lift the injunctions.
“This would give the country a chance to establish a full-fledged IEBC and allow wards and constituencies that lost their representatives to conduct by-elections to elect new office holders,” he said.
A petitioner, Boniface Njogu in October, this year, moved to court challenging the appointment of the nominees to the IEBC selection panel citing lack of representation for people living with disability.
In his petition, Mr Njogu sought orders to stop the Attorney-General and the Clerk of the Senate, who is the secretary to the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) from forwarding names of the IEBC selection panel to President William Ruto for appointment.
The application is set for determination on January 25, 2025. There has also been a clash within the opposition over who should sit on the panel.
Wiper Party fronted Ambassador Koki Muli for the role, while the National Labour Party maintains its candidate, Augustus Kyalo, was duly elected in July.
After all the groups had forwarded the names of representatives for the nine-member panel, a contest emerged between Ambassador Muli and Kyalo Muli from the Azimio side on who should represent the minority party, further derailing the process.
The electoral body has been without the stipulated number of commissioners since March 2023 when Ms Irene Masit, who was the last commissioner was forced out of office. Former IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati and commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye retired in January, after the expiry of their term.
Other commissioners, Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera, Francis Wanderi, Justus Nyang’aya and Irene Masit were forced to resign following their stand on the 2022 presidential results.
The DP’s statement comes at a time when pressure from Kenyans on the government to facilitate the reconstitution of a new IEBC continues to gather momentum, three years to the next polls.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa told the DP to help President William Ruto in facilitating the appointment of IEBC commissioners to clear the air surrounding the constitutional crisis.
“Some areas are missing out on representation both in the national parliament and at ward level because their representatives either died or their victory was overturned through petitions. These groups are feeling marginalised and must get justice,” said Mr Barasa.
The DP arrived in Kakamega on Saturday night during which he interacted with a section of area leaders ahead of the Sunday service.
His first stop was in Ikolomani constituency where he held deliberations with political and grassroots leaders.
He asked church leaders to correct the government with utmost respect, noting that the two levels, the church and government, must enjoy a symbiotic relationship.
“We, in the government, don’t have any issue with the church. We respect all the religious sects and we ask the church to also respect the government so that we work together and avoid tensions and creating disrespect,” he pointed out.
He emphasised that government officials who are Christians will continue giving offerings to God through the church and pleaded with clergies to accept their donations.
He explained: “We may have erred at some point, please forgive us and accept us because we are your followers. We all want to go to heaven and some of us understand that it is through giving to God that you get blessed and go to heaven.”
Prof Kindiki said the talks aimed at discussing how delivery of services can be hastened should provide the much-needed impetus for empowering citizens and not incite Kenyans against the government.
“Let us accommodate each other and address the differences in the society with love,” he urged.
He called on Kenyans to ignore those opposing the registration of Taifa Care and enrol in the health policy for the betterment of their health services.
He praised the new health scheme as the best for Kenyans which past governments failed to implement.
“Many families have lost their property including land, vehicles and are now poor as they sought to get quality healthcare for their family members. With the new policy, there will be no more fundraisings to clear hospital bills,” he added.
Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali said politicians in the Western region were considering boycotting fundraisers meant to foot hospital bills in an attempt to push the electorate into registering on Taifa Care.
“While other regions are moving fast in registering on this policy, our people in Western are reluctant because they were deceived by leaders who have comprehensive health schemes. We shall stop contributing to funerals and medical bills so that people can register,” said Mr Shinali.
MPs Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Christopher Aseka (Khwisero), Malulu Injendi and Kakamega deputy governor Ayub Savula accompanied the DP.
