United States Sends A warning To Kenya, Says Democracy At Risk

United States Sends A warning To Kenya, Says Democracy At Risk

United States Sends A warning saying that democracy in Kenya was at stake since the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was yet to get new commissioners.

“IEBC’s ability to support democracy in Kenya is at risk without recruiting commissioners or parliamentary action to provide IEBC funding for voter registration. by-elections and other activities,” the Embassy Stated.

This comes even as the IEBC continues to operate without commissioners following the resignation of most of them following the hotly contested 2022 presidential election. As it stands, the body is unable to hold any elections as currently constituted.

For instance, Banisa Constituency in Mandera County has been without an MP since March 2023 following the death of its Member of Parliament Hassan Kullow.

IEBC’s functions were hampered in 2023 after three of its commissioners- Abdi Guliye, Boya Molu and Chairman Wafula Chebukati retired. This left only the CEO, whose mandate is strictly limited to supervising and performing secretariat

President William Ruto is now expected to Gazette names of the individuals submitted to him to sit in a nine-member panel which will include two persons nominated by the Parliamentary Service Commission and three persons nominated by the Political Parties Liaison Committee (PPLC).

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