National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has sounded the alarm over delays in reconstituting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), warning that time is running out for critical preparations ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a courtesy call by outgoing Acting US Ambassador Mark Dillard, Wetang’ula expressed concern that the commission remains in limbo due to ongoing court cases. A High Court order issued on May 29 barred the swearing-in of IEBC commissioners until a petition challenging the nomination process is heard and determined.
“We are running dangerously late in starting preparations for the 2027 elections,” Wetang’ula warned. “We are behind in the review and delimitation of boundaries, in voter registration, and in cleaning up the register of dead voters.”
He emphasized the urgency of enrolling millions of young Kenyans who have come of age since the last election but remain unregistered. The current legal framework prohibits changes to the voters’ register within a year of a General Election, making early planning crucial.
President William Ruto had nominated Erastus Edung Ethekon as IEBC chairperson and Anne Nderitu, Moses Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor, Francis Odhiambo, and Fahima Abdalla as commissioners. Parliament vetted and approved them, and they were subsequently gazetted. However, the swearing-in has stalled due to the legal challenge.
Wetang’ula noted that although public trust in the IEBC has waned, the country must allow the commission to begin rebuilding and preparing for a credible electoral process.
“Keeping eligible voters out of the roll is wrong, and keeping dead people in the register is even worse,” he said. “We need a properly trained and fully functional commission. A strong IEBC can deliver a credible election even amid challenges.”
As the clock ticks towards 2027, the Speaker urged all stakeholders, including the judiciary, to act swiftly to resolve the stalemate and facilitate the reconstitution of the IEBC for the sake of electoral integrity and national stability.
