President Ruto signs IEBC Bill into law

President William Ruto has signed into law the IEBC (Amendment) Bill, 2024. During the signing ceremony at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Ruto affirmed his commitment to fully implementing the new electoral law, in line with the recommendations of the NADCO report. The Act contains among others an expanded recruitment panel that includes the IEBC’s chairman and commissioners. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was also present during the historic moment.

Azimio leaders Raila Odinga and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka were all present during the signing. National Assembly speaker Moses Wetangula among other leaders were also present.

“The Assent to the IEBC Amendment Bill marks a significant step in the actualization of one of the recommendations of NADCO and the signing of this Bill paves way for the establishment of a selection panel for the appointment of IEBC Commissioners,” the Head of State said. “This historic action paves the way for appointing the selection panel that will recruit IEBC’s new commissioners. I am fully behind the process and committed to ensuring its full implementation,” added the President.

The Composition of the IEBC

IEBC is made up of seven commissioners including a Chief Executive Officer  who also acts as the commission secretary, appointed by them. The commissioners are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Parliament with each member serving a six-year term. Currently the commission does not have commissioners following the lapse of Chairman Wafula Chebukati’s tenure and that of commissioners Abdi Guliye and Bola Molu after the 2022 elections.

The Bomas of Kenya events witnessed on August 15, 2022, also led to the resignation of four other commissioners, including Juliana Cherera, who was vice chair at the time.

The Head of State also urged the August House to expedite the Conflict of Interest Bill to allow the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to keep government officials in check.

The Azimio Plea on GenZ Protests

On his part the Azimio La Umoja Coalition leader Raila Odinga stressed that the Kenya Kwanza administration should prioritize discussions while tackling the nation’s pressing problems, such as the recent youth-led protests against the government. “I am happy to confirm that we have had consultations and after extensive consultations we have agreed that dialogue is the way forward out of the crisis we are having today in our country .We have agreed that we should give people an opportunity to be heard,” Mr. Odinga stated.

“We want the Dialogue between the government and the youths to be a very engaging conversation so that we deal with fundamental issues affecting our society. They are many but equally solvable! Youths are the majority in our society today and they deserve to be heard,” he added.