• As Isaac Mwaura says, President William Ruto cannot be held responsible for the stalling of the IEBC restructuring process
• The government spokesman suggested that the president has a strong willingness to assist in the process of assembling the electoral body, which currently lacks primary commissioners.
• Mwaura’s statement was in response to concerns raised by Catholic bishops who criticized the current regime for shelving the restructuring of the commission

Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura has sought to clear President William Ruto’s administration of the charge of stalling the restructuring process. Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The country’s election governing body has been without a commissioner for more than a year since the former president left office Wafula Chebukati and outgoing commission members Molu Boya and Abdi Guliye.

Normally, if there were no commission, it would continue its activities. For the resignation of four commission members well; Juliana Cherera, Irene Masit, Francis Wanderi and Justus Nyang’aya.

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The four’s resignation at the height of controversy over the 2022 presidential election left the electoral body without a quorum.

What is the government’s stance on the restructuring of the IEBC?

Reacting to concerns raised by the Kenya Catholic Bishops Conference, Mwaura said the National Executive was not responsible for the delay in the IEBC restructuring process.

On the printing presses on Thursday, November 14, Clerics have criticized the Ruto regime for deliberately shelving the process of assembling the electoral body that will be needed in times of political crisis.

Mwaura said that for the process to continue, the responsibility lies with parliament and that parliament must resolve outstanding issues.

He noted that the President demonstrated his willingness to assist in the restructuring process by adopting the IEBC Amendment Bill in July this year.

“The government is committed to having a functional electoral body to enable the IEBC to discharge its mandate, including the pending by-elections. To this end, the president passed the enactment of the IEBC (Amendment) Bill on 9 July 2024. Mwaura, IEBC He said that the way to form a selection panel is clear.

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“However, the restructuring of the IEBC was in limbo due to the Azimio la Umoja Coalition party replacing Augustine Muli with Koki Muli, which resulted in a court order preventing the parliament from submitting names to His Excellency the President for the appointment of members. then ready and willing to appoint the selection panel.” he added.

What did Moses Wetang’ula say about the IEBC’s stalemate on restructuring?

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula had previously promised: The Parliament will give priority to the process.

He stated that the stalled process had led to delays in border inspections and pending by-elections in various neighborhoods and constituencies.

He called on those obstructing the process to reconsider their position and allow progress.

Wetang’ula also appealed to Chief Justice Marths Koome to expedite IEBC-related cases to prevent further disruption in electoral processes.

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The commission currently reports to the secretariat, headed by chief executive Marjan Hussein Marjan.

Source: TUKO.co.ke