NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has issued a call to the international community, urging them to apply pressure on the Kenyan government to reconstitute the Independent Electoral Boundaries and Commission (IEBC).
Currently, the IEBC operates without a chairperson and commissioners, relying solely on its Secretariat.
The delay in reconstituting the commission has raised concerns about the country’s preparedness for the upcoming 2027 General Election.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura attributed the delay to a court injunction blocking the formation of the IEBC Selection Panel.
He urged political parties, particularly the Wiper Party, to nominate candidates to the selection committee to move the process forward.
“There’s no need to take this matter to court; let’s resolve it and move forward,” Mwaura emphasized.
Gachagua expressed disappointment over the absence of an electoral body, citing the recommendations of the Kriegler report, which underscores the importance of having a fully operational electoral commission three years before a general election.
“The process is as important as its outcome,” Gachagua stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
He specifically called on newly-elected US President Donald Trump to mobilize global leaders to pressure President William Ruto to expedite the reconstitution of the IEBC.
“We want to ask the newly-elected US President Donald Trump to help us, mobilise other world leaders to put pressure on President William Ruto to constitute IEBC to start planning and preparing for the 2027 General Election,” he added.
Gachagua also linked the delay to certain politicians advocating for the extension of the presidential term limit, a move that could further complicate the country’s electoral landscape.
As the 2027 General Election approaches, the lack of an operational IEBC remains a critical issue, with potential implications for Kenya’s democratic processes and political stability
Currently, the IEBC operates without a chairperson and commissioners, relying solely on its Secretariat.
The delay in reconstituting the commission has raised concerns about the country’s preparedness for the upcoming 2027 General Election.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura attributed the delay to a court injunction blocking the formation of the IEBC Selection Panel.
He urged political parties, particularly the Wiper Party, to nominate candidates to the selection committee to move the process forward.
“There’s no need to take this matter to court; let’s resolve it and move forward,” Mwaura emphasized.
Gachagua expressed disappointment over the absence of an electoral body, citing the recommendations of the Kriegler report, which underscores the importance of having a fully operational electoral commission three years before a general election.
“The process is as important as its outcome,” Gachagua stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
He specifically called on newly-elected US President Donald Trump to mobilize global leaders to pressure President William Ruto to expedite the reconstitution of the IEBC.
“We want to ask the newly-elected US President Donald Trump to help us, mobilise other world leaders to put pressure on President William Ruto to constitute IEBC to start planning and preparing for the 2027 General Election,” he added.
Gachagua also linked the delay to certain politicians advocating for the extension of the presidential term limit, a move that could further complicate the country’s electoral landscape.
As the 2027 General Election approaches, the lack of an operational IEBC remains a critical issue, with potential implications for Kenya’s democratic processes and political stability
