- Kalonzo claims interference in the reconstitution of IEBC.
- PPDT had however issued orders restraining the reconstitution of the electoral body.
Image: KALONZO MUSYOKA/X
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka claims there is no political goodwill to implement the National Dialogue Committee report, including the reconstitution of IEBC.
The former Vice President said the endless delay in the reconstitution of the electoral agency is a testament that Kenya Kwanza administration is not keen on implementing the recommendations of the dialogue team.
Kalonzo spoke during a national conference on the finalisation of the electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 polls.
He said the passage of the IEBC (Amendment) Bill, 2023, should have been followed by formation of the new agency.
“Even after the IEBC (Amendment) Bill, 2023–one of the Nadco’s key legislative Bill–was signed into law. We still lack the commission to implement the essential election improvements,” Kalonzo said.
“Political goodwill is lacking, institutional interference has kept Kenyans from a fully operating IEBC.”
The delay in reconstituting IEBC, he said, has had a substantial impact on the implementation of several of its operations including holding by-elections, boundary delimitation as well as evaluating numerous policy text.
The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal had granted the orders to Augustus Muli after Azimio sought to replace him from the IEBC Selection Panel list presented by political parties.
The Political Parties Liaison Committee had written to PSC nominating its chairman Evans Misati, Nicodemus Bore of UDA and Augustus as its representatives.
But Azimio told PSC to kick out Augustus and replace him with Koki Muli, first on grounds the list has men yet it should have at least one woman and on assertions that he failed the party’s vetting.
Yesterday, Kalonzo said the tribunal erred by issuing the orders that has stalled the critical process to date.
“It is my opinion that the minority/coalition party-Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition Party-in presenting the name of their representative, not only considered the two-thirds gender guideline but also undertook a competitive and transparent process as required by law to select their nominee,” he said.
“As a result, the Parliamentary Service Commission should proceed to forward Amb Koki Muli's name as Azimio's nominee for the minority party to the IEBC Selection Panel, as presented by the PPLC.”
The Wiper boss also demanded a thorough review of the past electoral malpractices, which he noted has dented the country’s electoral image.
“The past grievances that have tainted our elections must be addressed,” Kalonzo said.
"Election-related disputes and discontent are a sign the public faith in the system has not yet been completely earned; they are not personal grievances. While the 2022 elections were relatively calm and orderly, they revealed flaws that, as 2027 approaches, we cannot afford to overlook.”
He said some of the challenges could be well addressed by the Nadco recommendations on electoral justice and related matters.