Justice Isaac Lenaola has expressed strong concerns over the government’s delay in reconstituting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), emphasizing the potential risks this poses to the integrity of Kenya’s electoral process.
Speaking at a regional conference on the use of AI, digital, and social media in elections, Justice Lenaola questioned how Parliament could prioritize other legislative matters while neglecting the critical task of appointing IEBC commissioners.
The IEBC has been without commissioners since the resignation of the ‘Cherera four’ and the end of tenure of three other commissioners, including former chair Wafula Chebukati.
This leadership vacuum hampers essential functions such as conducting by-elections and addressing boundary issues.
Justice Lenaola criticized both the government and the opposition for their inaction, noting that the opposition coalition’s failure to appoint a representative to the selection panel has stalled the process.
Highlighting the urgency of the matter, Justice Lenaola pointed out that with elections just three years away, the IEBC requires adequate time to prepare.
He urged Kenyans to leverage social media to advocate for the prompt appointment of IEBC commissioners, suggesting the use of hashtags like ‘Appoint IEBC Now’ to mobilize public pressure.
