Julius Kiprop
- The United States has expressed concerns about Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) due to the absence of commissioners and lack of funding.
- U.S. Ambassador Meg Whitman met with IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein, emphasizing the risk to Kenya’s democracy without proper support for the commission.
- President William Ruto had promised a transparent recruitment process for new IEBC commissioners after signing the IEBC Amendment Bill in July 2024.
- IEBC plays a key role in overseeing elections and ensuring fair representation in Parliament by reviewing electoral boundaries.
On Thursday, October 24, 2024, the United States issued a formal warning to Kenya regarding the uncertainty surrounding the country’s electoral body, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The U.S. expressed concerns about the commission’s capacity to uphold democracy in the absence of commissioners and proper funding from Parliament.
The warning followed a meeting between U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman and IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein on Wednesday, October 22. The U.S. Embassy highlighted that without a fully staffed IEBC and appropriate financial resources, key electoral activities such as voter registration and by-elections are at risk. “IEBC’s ability to support democracy in Kenya is at risk without the recruitment of commissioners or parliamentary action to provide IEBC funding for voter registration, by-elections, and other election activities,” read a statement from the U.S. Embassy, which reiterated America’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s democratic processes through USAID.
This development comes three months after President William Ruto signed the IEBC Amendment Bill on July 9, 2024, aimed at establishing a transparent recruitment process for new commissioners. Ruto emphasized that the selection panel would include representatives from political parties and professional bodies to ensure a fair and inclusive process. “I am fully behind the process and committed to ensuring its full implementation,” Ruto stated at the time.
The absence of IEBC commissioners raises concerns, as their roles are essential for ensuring fair and transparent elections. Commissioners are responsible for formulating electoral policies, supervising election logistics, and ensuring compliance with electoral laws. They also play a critical role in verifying and ratifying election results submitted by the IEBC secretariat. Furthermore, the commissioners are tasked with reviewing electoral boundaries to ensure equal representation in Parliament and government.
As Kenya approaches critical electoral activities, the lack of commissioners and funding for the IEBC presents a significant challenge to its democratic processes. The U.S. Embassy’s warning underscores the urgency for Kenya’s leadership to address the gaps in the IEBC, ensuring the body is adequately prepared to uphold the nation’s democracy.
