Moses Kuria Warns of Danger, Urges Gov’t Action on IEBC Vacancies
Senior Economic Advisor Moses Kuria has called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel to promptly begin the recruitment process for commissioner positions.
In a statement issued on Saturday, December 7, Kuria echoed the concerns of Supreme Court Judge Isaac Lenaola, who raised alarm over the absence of IEBC Commissioners, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the issue.
Acknowledging Justice Lenaola’s observations, Kuria urged the IEBC selection panel to kickstart the recruitment process by Friday, December 13, stressing the need for immediate action to safeguard the country’s electoral stability.
Kuria warned that delays in appointing IEBC Commissioners pose a significant risk to the nation’s democratic processes.
“I urge the panel to convene on Monday and ensure advertisements for the IEBC Commissioners are rolled out by Friday, December 13. Operating without a functioning electoral body puts us in a precarious position,” he stated.
In his remarks, Kuria also criticized Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka for accusing President William Ruto’s administration of interfering with the selection process for the electoral body.
Kuria asserted that the process would proceed without the Wiper Party’s involvement, adding that the selection panel still had the quorum required to move forward.
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“Even without the Wiper Party representative, I agree with Justice Lenaola; the selection panel is quorate,” Kuria reiterated.
On December 6, Justice Isaac Lenaola condemned both the government and opposition for failing to prioritize the appointment of IEBC Commissioners, especially with less than three years remaining until the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the Regional Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Lenaola also criticized lawmakers for focusing on other legislative matters while neglecting the crucial task of constituting the electoral commission.
The judge expressed concern over the limited time the IEBC Commissioners would have to prepare for the upcoming elections, cautioning that such negligence could undermine the country’s democratic integrity.
“For instance, how can a nation like ours function without an electoral commission? We are in 2024, and the elections are in 2027. When will this commission be ready?” Lenaola questioned.
Moses Kuria Warns of Danger, Urges Gov’t Action on IEBC Vacancies
