Debate on the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has continued to elicit varied reactions, particularly after President William Ruto gazetted a nine-member selection panel to recruit the electoral agency's chairperson and commissioners on Monday.
The Constitution of the selection panel had been stalled by a court injunction, which has since been lifted, where a petitioner protested the exclusion of persons with disabilities from being considered for selection as recruiters.
While reacting to the new development towards the creation of a new IEBC, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka claimed that some MPs have started developing cold feet for fear that the electorate may recall them.
The lack of a fully constituted IEBC has put on hold several by-elections across the country and dampened agitation to recall a section of MPs.
Calls to recall MPs grew louder during the anti-government street protests in June 2024 when young Kenyans rallied the country to compel MPs to shoot down the Finance Bill, 2024.
Despite widespread opposition to the piece of legislation that proposed a raft of new tax measures, MPs passed the Bill, sparking anger and outrage from the masses, with some Kenyans saying lawmakers who voted for the bill which was later withdrawn by the President, be recalled.
Speaking on Monday during the unveiling of the new DAP-Kenya party headquarters in Karen, Nairobi, Kalonzo said with signs that a new electoral agency may soon be in office, some MPs have grown nervous, fearing for the worst.
"The other reason they are delaying this whole thing about IEBC is because they know now under the constitution, you can recall some of those MPs," he claimed.
"They fear that thing like nothing else. And I want to prepare our people; now that IEBC (is going to be) there, please, prepare to have these people recalled."
According to Kalonzo, some legislators have acted in total disregard of their constituents' wishes.
On the night of June 25, 2024, immediately after MPs voted for the impugned finance bill, a section of MPs who gave the legislation the nod of approval found themselves at the receiving end of their constituents' rage.
However, public outrage diminished considerably after President Ruto withdrew the contentious bill, fired his entire Cabinet save for Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi, and constituted a broad-based government. that incorporated the Opposition.
