Leaders trade blame on poll body reconstitution as crisis deepens

Wip

The constitutional crisis the country faces due to the lack of a fully constituted Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is set to persist as leaders continue to trade barbs over the process.

Despite the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) prioritising the reconstitution of the IEBC in its report, little progress has been made. Instead, the country has witnessed political intrigues and numerous court cases regarding the membership of the select committee tasked with interviewing potential commissioners.

Yesterday, President William Ruto, in a meeting with former President Uhuru Kenyatta, discussed the reconstitution of the commission, emphasising that it is a matter of urgency.

“President Ruto and President Kenyatta further called for the prompt resolution of the court matters regarding the constitution of the IEBC selection panel to facilitate the appointment of commissioners,” read a statement from State House after the meeting in Gatundu.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, also reiterated the need to set up the commission as soon as possible.

The delay in appointing a panel has put the country in a conundrum, with the deadline for the boundary review having lapsed and by-elections in Banisa, Magarini, and Ugunja constituencies still pending months after the seats became vacant, same as several wards across the country.

A court case delaying the establishment of the selection panel is being cited as the major reason the country does not yet have a fully functional commission. Both the government and opposition have been blaming each other.

Kalonzo yesterday said he is not to blame for the ongoing court case, which has halted President Ruto from appointing the selection panel. “I would like to make it clear that we are not to blame for the failure to have the IEBC selection panel in place. Azimio adhered to strict timelines and named Ambassador Koki Muli as its representative to the panel. The delay we are seeing is State-sponsored,” Kalonzo stated.

Speaking in Nairobi, Kalonzo criticized National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula for allegedly being part of a conspiracy to delay the formation of the new IEBC, arguing that if Wetangula had mobilised Parliament, the matter would have been settled. He further called on the House to show the same energy it displayed during the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki lay the blame on Kalonzo’s doorstep saying his cases have derailed the plan to appoint a selection panel.

National Liberal Party Leader Kyalo Muli was in August picked by the Political Parties Liaison Committee as the Azimio Coalition representative to the IEBC selection panel. However, this did not please the coalition which wanted Wiper Party’s Koki Muli in the panel instead.