Political activist Morara Kebaso has expressed his readiness to lead street protests against the lack of a functioning Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
In a statement shared on his X account on Friday, December 6, 2024, Morara called on Kenyans to join him in demanding action to address the state of the electoral body. He said he is ready to hit the streets whenever the public is prepared.
“I am ready to go to the streets for IEBC. Mkikua ready mniambie twende,” he stated.
The IEBC has been in limbo since the retirement of former chairperson Wafula Chebukati and commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye in January and the mass resignation of the Cherera Four; commissioners Juliana Cherera, Irene Masit, Francis Wanderi, and Justus Nyang’aya. The Cherera Four stepped down under controversial circumstances following the fallout from the 2022 general election results.
IEBC in limbo
With the IEBC currently lacking a chairperson and commissioners, some leaders have raised concerns about its capacity to prepare adequately for the next general election, which is less than three years away.
On December 3, 2024, Wiper Party leader and Opposition chief Kalonzo Musyoka urged political leaders and stakeholders to prioritize the reformation of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). He emphasized the need to put aside personal interests in favour of the nation’s well-being.
“I urge those standing in the way of reconstituting IEBC to see the bigger picture. They should set aside their narrow selfish interests in preference to the greater good of the nation,” Kalonzo said.
He called for swift action to resolve the ongoing stalemate, highlighting the critical need for an electoral system.
“Please allow us to reconstitute IEBC as soon as possible,” he added.
Meanwhile, former United States Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman also expressed concerns over Kenya’s democracy, warning that the absence of a fully functioning electoral body poses a significant threat.
“IEBC Kenya’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,” she stated.
.@IEBCKenya’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. The United States supports Kenya’s democracy through… pic.twitter.com/0ffCMXIkGn
— U.S. Embassy Nairobi (@USEmbassyKenya) October 23, 2024
