Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioner Dr. Alutalala Mukhwana has defended the commission’s neutrality. His remarks come at a time when many Kenyans doubt the commission’s ability to deliver credible elections.
Addressing Alleged Political Links
Speaking on Spice FM, Mukhwana admitted that many Kenyans link IEBC commissioners to political figures. He explained that these perceptions often arise from past professional associations.
“All of us, somehow, dotted lines were traced and linked to certain political leaders. And they say because we have worked with some of those politicians, we are not going to be impartial,” he said.
However, Mukhwana argued that such connections should not bar commissioners from serving. He stressed that the Constitution does not stop anyone from holding office simply because they have interacted with leaders.
Call for Fair Judgment
Mukhwana noted that if the Constitution’s framers intended commissioners to have no political ties, they would have said so.
“Maybe they should have said we need the UN, or invite citizens of another country to sit at the IEBC,” he remarked.
He also urged politicians to help restore trust in the commission rather than fuel division.
Over-Regulation of IEBC
According to Mukhwana, mistrust has led to unnecessary regulation. “It is close to paranoia. Because we do not trust each other, we have put layers and layers of regulations governing IEBC,” he observed.
Low Public Confidence
Despite his defense, public trust in the commission remains weak. A May 2024 survey by Tifa Research found that half of Kenyans are “not confident at all” in the fairness of the 2027 General Election.
Only 20 percent of respondents said they were “very confident,” while 21 percent were “somewhat confident.” About 9 percent were unsure.
These findings highlight the urgent need for reforms and trust-building as Kenya moves closer to the next general election.
