NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto will sign the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendment) Bill into law on Tuesday morning at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). This is contrary to the traditional practice of signing bills at the State House.
State House Press Secretary Emmanuel Talam confirmed the event, scheduled for 9 AM, in a statement released earlier.
The new law aims to overhaul the country’s electoral management system, setting the stage for the appointment of new IEBC commissioners.
The signing comes amid intense pressure from various quarters, including opposition leaders and sections of the clergy, who have been vocal about the need to reconstitute the electoral agency.
The President has faced mounting calls to sign the IEBC Bill, particularly from citizens demanding accountability from their Members of Parliament (MPs) who recently voted in favor of the controversial Finance Bill, 2024.
Azimio co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka highlighted the urgency of the matter, stating, “As a Coalition, we call out Ruto and demand that he assents to this essential Bill that allows citizens to hold their representatives in the Legislature accountable.”
Musyoka also indicated that the Opposition coalition has warned its legislators who defied public sentiment and supported the Finance Bill, emphasizing their support for constituents’ calls to recall such MPs.
The passage of the Finance Bill sparked widespread public outrage, leading to instances of property destruction belonging to MPs who voted in its favor.
Out of 204 MPs who supported the Bill at the second reading and 195 at the third reading, many now face the threat of recall by their constituents.
The recall process, governed by the Constitution and the Elections Act, involves several stages.
A petition must be filed with the electoral commission, supported by signatures from at least 30 percent of the constituency’s voters and 15 percent from at least half of the wards.
If approved by the IEBC and after giving the MP a chance to defend themselves, a vote is cast in the constituency.
The recall is successful if a simple majority supports it, provided at least 50 percent of voters participate.
President Ruto’s signing of the IEBC Amendment Bill is expected to pave the way for a more robust and transparent electoral process.
The law will facilitate the appointment of new commissioners, addressing longstanding issues within the electoral body and aiming to restore public confidence in Kenya’s electoral system.
