The United States has expressed concern over delays in reconstituting Kenya’s electoral commission, warning that the country’s democratic processes are at risk without swift appointment of new commissioners and adequate funding for electoral activities.
“Kenya’s ability to support democracy is at risk without the recruitment of commissioners or parliamentary action to provide IEBC funding for voter registration, by-elections, and other election activities,” the US Embassy in Kenya stated in a social media post.
The warning comes as a tribunal court has halted Parliament from forwarding nominee names to President William Ruto, following objections from the opposition Azimio la Umoja coalition over proposed changes to the nomination list.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has operated without permanent commissioners since January 2023, when former chairman Wafula Chebukati and two commissioners completed their terms. Four other commissioners had previously resigned after rejecting the 2022 presidential election results that declared Ruto the winner.
President Ruto signed the IEBC Bill in July 2024, which established a new framework for appointing commissioners through a nine-member selection panel. The law aimed to enhance transparency and accountability within the commission following recommendations from the National Dialogue Committee.
“Today’s signing marks the beginning of the reconstitution of the IEBC and testifies to our country’s ability to attend to its pressing issues and priorities through routine dialogue and consultations,” Ruto said at the July signing ceremony.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga, who was present at the bill signing, emphasized the importance of electoral reform. “A divided electoral commission was a shame to us as a country,” he stated, referring to the previous IEBC’s controversial tenure.
The latest impasse centers on the opposition’s attempt to replace Augustus Muli with Koki Muli on the list of nominees, leading to the current court intervention that has suspended the appointment process.
