Senators call for report on plans for 2022 election

Senators have censured the electoral agency over its state of preparedness ahead of the 2022 elections.

The lawmakers also raised concern on status of voter register and ability of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to conduct boundaries review and delimitation.

The senators demanded that IEBC commissioners led by chairman Wafula Chebukati give a clear plan for the next polls in line with the Johann Kriegler Commission report that recommended measures be put in place at least 24 months before elections.

Nominated Senator Mary Seneta urged Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) chaired by Nyamira Senator Okongo Omogeni to invite IEBC commissioners to bring them up to speed on preparations for the elections.

“The commission should outline the roadmap of activities, practical strategies, actions and targets undertaken in preparation for election and expound on the methods to be used in the demarcation of electoral areas as well the reorganisation of polling stations,” said Seneta.

Similar concerns were shared by senators Moses Wetang’ula (Bungoma), Dr Christopher Langat (Bomet) and Mithika Linturi (Meru).

But Enoch Wambua (Kitui) questioned how the statement was approved to be read on the floor yet it borders on procedural issues.

Wetang’ula disagreed with Wambua, stressing that the matter raised by Senator Seneta was of urgency.

The Ford Kenya party leader sought to know from Chebukati team how many people are being listed in the process of continuous registration.

Dr Langat said senators need to understand the measures that have been put in place to ensure the voter register is updated.

“Even the composition of the commissioners up to this time is still not enough to run an electoral commission effectively,” he said.

IEBC has three commissioners after four resigned. Parliament last year passed the IEBC (Amendment) Act that specifies how the vacant positions will be filled. “A few things must be done the right way and people must be appraised on what is being done,” said Linturi.