Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during a church service in Navakholo, Kakamega County on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Navakholo Constituency, Kakamega County
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has clarified that the government is not to blame for the delays in the full reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Speaking during a church service in Navakholo Constituency, Kakamega County, Kindiki explained that the recruitment process to appoint new IEBC commissioners was halted due to a court injunction.
“The reason there is no IEBC at the moment is because some Kenyans went to court. There is an injunction against the establishment of the recruitment panel that is supposed to recruit the new commissioners,” Kindiki said.
He emphasized that the government respects the rule of law and cannot proceed with the recruitment process in violation of the court order.
“As a country governed by the rule of law, when there is an injunction, the government is not able to take any action that contradicts it,” he added.
The Deputy President called for an out-of-court resolution to the disputes surrounding the recruitment panel. He urged the concerned parties to find a peaceful way to resolve their differences and allow the recruitment process to move forward.
“We are asking the parties that have taken this matter to court to try and reach an out-of-court settlement so that we can unblock the process and conclude it as soon as possible,” Kindiki said.
His remarks come amid growing concerns about the lack of a fully constituted IEBC, with a significant portion of the public, including Supreme Court Justice Isaac Lenaola, calling for urgent action. Lenaola had expressed concern over the absence of the IEBC, noting that elections are just three years away, and the lack of a functional electoral body was a significant threat to the country’s governance.
“How can a country like ours stand on its feet without an electoral commission?” Lenaola questioned, urging Kenyans to use social media to demand the reconstitution of the IEBC.
Following these remarks, the hashtag #appointIEBC has gained traction on social media, with citizens increasingly vocal about the need for the swift reconstitution of the electoral body.
Deputy President Kindiki’s comments underline the government’s commitment to adhering to the rule of law, while also expressing hope that the ongoing legal dispute will be resolved so the country can move forward with the critical process of reconstituting the IEBC.
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