Delays in IEBC Appointments May Hinder New Constituencies for 2027 Election.
Kenya may not get new constituencies for the 2027 General Election. This is due to delays in appointing new members to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula raised this concern on Tuesday. He spoke at a mid-term retreat for Members of Parliament in Naivasha.
Wetang'ula said the delay has stalled important IEBC tasks. These include reviewing constituency boundaries and holding by-elections.
The law requires the IEBC to review boundaries every eight to twelve years. The review must be done at least 12 months before a General Election.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah also expressed worry. He urged the IEBC selection panel to quickly appoint integrity-minded commissioners.
The IEBC could be fully set up within three months if the panel acts fast.
Since January 2023, the IEBC has been led by a secretariat. CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan heads the secretariat.
But the secretariat can only handle routine tasks. It cannot review boundaries or hold by-elections.
Opposition leaders have demanded new IEBC commissioners. The public has also called for swift action on social media.
Last year, Thika Town MP Alice Ng'ang'a proposed a Bill to prevent the removal of over 40 constituencies that do not meet the population requirement.
The Bill is part of efforts to address issues with constituency boundaries and representation.
Kenya may not get new constituencies for the 2027 General Election. This is due to delays in appointing new members to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula raised this concern on Tuesday. He spoke at a mid-term retreat for Members of Parliament in Naivasha.
Wetang'ula said the delay has stalled important IEBC tasks. These include reviewing constituency boundaries and holding by-elections.
The law requires the IEBC to review boundaries every eight to twelve years. The review must be done at least 12 months before a General Election.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah also expressed worry. He urged the IEBC selection panel to quickly appoint integrity-minded commissioners.
The IEBC could be fully set up within three months if the panel acts fast.
Since January 2023, the IEBC has been led by a secretariat. CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan heads the secretariat.
But the secretariat can only handle routine tasks. It cannot review boundaries or hold by-elections.
Opposition leaders have demanded new IEBC commissioners. The public has also called for swift action on social media.
Last year, Thika Town MP Alice Ng'ang'a proposed a Bill to prevent the removal of over 40 constituencies that do not meet the population requirement.
The Bill is part of efforts to address issues with constituency boundaries and representation.
