Unease as Residents Yet to Replace Banissa Constituency MP 1 Year After Death
Some politicians from the North Eastern region are urging the government to expedite the rebuilding of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to facilitate a by-election in Banissa Constituency.
The community leaders expressed their sorrow over the fact that the constituency had gone a year without a representative in parliament following the passing of Kulow Maalim Hassan in March of the previous year.
During a press conference on February 8 in Mandera County, Senator Ali Roba asserted that the absence of IEBC officials has impeded progress in various regions across the country, including Banissa.
“One year now, Banissa constituency has no representation in terms of parliamentary representation,” Roba stated.
He additionally claimed that the concerns and requirements of the constituents were overlooked in the previous year due to a lack of representation on the national stage. The lawmakers urged for prompt action before the Parliament resumes its session on Tuesday, February 13th.
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“The people are suffering because their leadership is lacking and am aware of people in different wards who are suffering the same fate,” Roba commented.
Kulow Maalim Hassan, a former Member of Parliament (MP) from Banissa, lost his life on March 29 due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.
Hassan was quickly taken to Aga Khan Hospital, where medical professionals confirmed that he had succumbed to injuries from a hit-and-run incident in Nairobi’s South B Estate. By his religious and cultural practices, the legislator was buried on the very day of his passing at Langata Cemetery.
In April of the previous year, Moses Wetangula, a member of the National Assembly, announced an open position for the Banissa constituency seat, initiating the process for a by-election. Nevertheless, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has not been completely reconstituted, as key members, such as former chairperson Wafula Chebukati, have concluded their terms, and the deputy chair Juliana Cherera along with other top commissioners have resigned.
IEBC Debacle
President Ruto, on February 27, 2023, officially appointed a seven-person selection panel to oversee the recruitment of new commissioners for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The appointed members include Bethuel Sugut, Novince Euralia Atieno, Charity S. Kisotu, Evans Misati James, Benson Ngugi Njeri, Nelson Makanda, and Fatuma Saman.
Nevertheless, the resistance spearheaded by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga objected to the procedure, asserting that Ruto had gained control of the commission and was laying the groundwork for his potential re-election in 2027.
The National Dialogue Committee (NADCO), commonly known as the bipartisan committee chosen by Ruto and Raila in their attempts to reconcile, engaged in significant and disputed discussions regarding the reconstruction of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
NADCO suggested enlarging the originally designated 7-member selection panel appointed by Ruto to include nine officials.
High Court Ruling
On February 1 of this year, High Court Judge Mugure Thande issued a directive for the prompt initiation of the recruitment process for new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Commissioners.
Thande cautioned that adherence to the Constitution is indispensable, and any political ceasefire between Ruto and Raila must not circumvent its provisions.
Constitutional experts cautioned that the county faced the potential of entering a crisis due to the delayed process of boundary delimitation by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Unease as Residents Yet to Replace Banissa Constituency MP 1 Year After Death