The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has dismissed as fake a viral document claiming the agency was preparing to conduct fresh elections following an alleged plan to dissolve Parliament.
On Wednesday, the electoral body took to its official social media platforms to flag the purported press release as false and misleading, urging Kenyans to disregard it. The document, attributed to IEBC Chairperson Erustus, suggested that the Commission was ready to oversee a mini-General Election should the Supreme Court advise President William Ruto to disband the National Assembly.
It further alleged that the Commission was aware of an active case before the High Court seeking an advisory on Parliament’s dissolution for failing to comply with the constitutional one-third gender rule.
In its clarification, IEBC stressed that no such communication had been issued, adding that any directive to dissolve Parliament can only be anchored on the Constitution. “We remind members of the public to rely only on information released through our verified communication channels, including our website, official email, and social media pages,” the Commission said.
While the fake document is without basis, Kenya’s political landscape has grappled with the gender representation debate for years. In 2020, retired Chief Justice David Maraga famously wrote to then-President Uhuru Kenyatta advising him to dissolve Parliament over its failure to pass legislation implementing the two-thirds gender requirement.
The timing of the fake statement has also raised eyebrows. It emerged just two days after President Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga alleged that some lawmakers were receiving bribes to block key Bills currently before the House.
The Commission has in the past warned Kenyans about the dangers of misinformation, noting that fake news erodes public trust in institutions and can cause unnecessary anxiety. It has consistently called for vigilance, urging citizens to verify any political or electoral information through its official platforms.
As the country continues to grapple with heated political debates, IEBC’s quick rebuttal underlines the importance of credible information in safeguarding democratic processes.
