The delayed reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has raised fresh concerns regarding the review of electoral boundaries.
There are growing fears that the country may not be able to create new constituencies in time for the 2027 general election.
During a mid-term retreat for Members of Parliament in Naivasha, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula expressed concerns that the delay in appointing new IEBC commissioners could disrupt the crucial boundary review process, which has not been conducted since 2012.
“The delay in reconstituting the IEBC has caused a halt in several essential activities, such as the review of constituency boundaries, which is a vital component of the country’s electoral system. It has also delayed the timely conduct of by-elections in constituencies and wards that are currently vacant,” Wetang’ula said.
According to the Constitution, the IEBC is required to review constituency boundaries every eight to twelve years, with the changes needing to be completed at least one year before a general election. With less than three years remaining before the 2027 polls, time is running out for any significant boundary changes.
Article 89 of the Constitution outlines that Kenya is made up of 290 constituencies for parliamentary representation.
Any adjustments to these boundaries must take into account demographic shifts and population changes. Wetang’ula admitted that the prolonged delay in reconstituting the IEBC makes it unlikely that any changes will be made in time for the next election.
“It’s true that due to the delay in the reconstitution of the IEBC, we have lost valuable time because of the ongoing court cases. We are uncertain whether boundary delimitation will even be possible once the new commissioners take office,” Wetang’ula stated.
Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah also expressed concern over the issue, calling for transparency in the appointment process of the new commissioners. He warned that further delay in addressing the matter could lead to several regions being under-represented, making future elections even more contentious.
“We must ensure that those selected to join the IEBC are individuals of high integrity who can restore public trust in the commission. The selection panel must act swiftly and with complete transparency,” Ichung’wah said.
Opposition leaders have also been vocal, calling for the swift reconstitution of the commission, citing the urgent need for electoral reforms. Since the departure of former IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati and his team of commissioners in early 2023, the commission has been operating under the leadership of its secretariat, which lacks the power to carry out boundary reviews or organize by-elections.
Wetang’ula urged MPs to support the new commissioners once they take office, stressing the importance of a fully functional commission in ensuring fair and accurate representation.
“The importance of having a fully constituted commission cannot be overstated. It directly affects the conduct of elections and the accuracy of electoral boundaries, which are crucial for ensuring fair representation in Parliament,” Wetang’ula emphasized.
With the IEBC selection panel now operational, there are high expectations that the new commissioners will be appointed within the next three months.
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