National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged the Chief Justice Martha Koome to fast-track the conclusions of cases filed against the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Speaking when he attended the Chebukwa Catholic Church in Bungoma County, Wetangula observed that many suits filed in the law courts have slowed down the process of forming a new electoral commission body.
“I want to appeal to the Chief Justice that all the cases that are in court illegitimately challenging this process please fast track them, give them priority so that we can be able to finish them and have IEBC in place,” he appealed.
“As we resume Tuesday, the work is cut out. Priority business will be the possibility of finishing up the reconstitution of the Independent of Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC),” he stated adding that it’s a matter crucial for the country’s progress.
Chief Justice Martha Koome speaking during a JSC interview on March 3, 2021.
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Judicial Service Commission
The suits filed against the reconstitution of IEBC, he noted, further hinder boundaries reviews as well as curtail elections from taking place in affected constituencies and wards.
“The Supreme Court has directed that the IEBC main commissioners are not the secretariat, so without commissioners, we cannot move on,” he noted.
He cautioned that the country has operated for a while without the IEBC Commission in place to carry out the aforementioned constitutional duties.
At the same time, the speaker of the national assembly called on individuals who have launched suits against the reconstitution of the IEBC to withdraw their cases to pave the way for the constitution of the IEBC.
“The country has gone without IEBC for a long time and I take this opportunity to encourage those who have been making challenges in court to stall the process of having a selection panel for IEBC to rethink their minds and give way for this noble course,” he noted.
According to the speaker, to avert a constitutional crisis, the IEBC needs to be reconstituted as soon as possible without further delays.
“Because the country cannot go to the next election boundary reviewed and without holding by-elections of the constituencies that are already vacant either by a way of resignation, death or court processes,” he explained
There are several constituencies and wards without representatives due to lack of IEBC to conduct the by-elections. Among them is Banissa Constituency that has gone over a year without an MP.
The appointment of CS of Treasury John Mbadi and CS of Energy Opiyo Wandayi also left their Suba and Ugunja Constituencies vacant.
Former IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati and Chief Justice Martha Koome.
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IEBC
