President William Ruto has asked the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission selection panel to expedite the process of reconstituting the electoral body.
Speaking on Tuesday, March 4 2025, Ruto opined that the reconstitution of the electoral body will help the people of Malava get a new member of parliament and continue their representation in parliament.
“I have already approved the committee tasked with finding the new IEBC commissioners. I plead with those responsible to expedite the process so that we can have a new IEBC in place and so that the people of Malava can elect their representative as I assist him,” Ruto said while pledging to support the constituents.
The president kicked off the process of selecting new IEBC commissioners on January 27, 2025, with the appointment of the nine-member IEBC selection panel via a gazette notice after the process had been stalled by several litigations in courts.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel, led by Nelson Makanda as chairperson, later expressed its commitment to fully constituting the electoral commission in 85 days.
In a press statement by Nelson Makanda gave the assurance that they will hit the ground running and deliver the body as demanded by the constitution.
“For the next 85 days or less, we, as the Selection Panel, have undertaken to ensure that we deliver on our mandate of giving Kenyans the next Chairperson and Members of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission,” Makanda pledged while inviting for application of members on Friday, January 31, 2025
Once formed, the IEBC will resume a number of vital functions such as the conduct of critical by-elections in several constituencies and wards.
Banisa, Ugunja, Magarini, Juja and now Malava are among the 14 constituencies in need of electoral by-elections for members of the National Assembly, and a number of ward seats left vacant.
The Ugunja by-election was prompted by MP Opiyo Wandayi’s cabinet appointment, whereas Banisa constituency in Mandera County was vacated following the untimely demise of its MP Kulow Hassan on Saturday, March 25, 2023.
The IEBC body fell vacant in the aftermath of the contentious 2022 General Elections, following internal divisions within the body over the presidential results.
Chairperson, the late Wafula Chebukati, along with commissioners Prof. Abdi Yakub Guliye and Molu Boya, remained in office until their term ended, while Vice-Chairperson Juliana Cherera and Commissioners Francis Wanderi, Irene Masit, and Justus Nyang’aya resigned.
This leadership void disrupted the electoral processes, resulting in a backlog of by-elections awaiting execution.
