Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairman Wafula Chebukati has welcomed President William Ruto’s decision to gazette impending vacancies in the positions of the electoral agency’s chairperson and two commissioners.
Chebukati noted that the gazettement of the vacancies now sets in motion a smooth transition process and starts off what he termed as retention of institutional memory which has previously not been the case.
“I wish to welcome the decision to gazette impending vacancies for the positions of IEBC Chairperson and 2 Commissioners which will officially be vacant from 18/1/2023. This will ensure smooth transition and retention of institutional memory which has previously not been the case,” Chebukati stated.
I wish to welcome the decision to gazette impending vacancies for the positions of IEBC Chairperson and 2 Commissioners which will officially be vacant from 18/1/2023. This will ensure smooth transition and retention of institutional memory which has previously not been the case. pic.twitter.com/VayNa9hvKW
— Wafula Chebukati (@WChebukati) October 23, 2022
The IEBC chair is set to relinquish office in January 2023 after a controversial 6-year-stint at the helm of the electoral body.
Chebukati will be exiting office alongside commissioners Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu. The trio, who were part of the team that presided over the 2017 and 2022 polls, assumed office in 2016.
Ruto announces vacancies
President William Ruto on Saturday, October 21 published a gazette notice announcing impending vacancies in the positions of the chairperson and two members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission(IEBC) on the 17th of January, 2023.
The gazettement of the impending vacancies is a move that complies with the IEBC Act, which states that the Head of State should gazette vacancies six months before the expiry of the terms of election officials.
“Now, therefore, in the exercise of the powers conferred to me, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, notify you of impending vacancies in the positions mentioned above,” the notice read in part.
Upon the publication of the notice, the Head of State is now compelled by law to constitute a 7-member panel to interview and recommend replacements for the exiting commissioners and chairperson.
