Africa-Press – Kenya. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged the newly reconstituted Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to hit the ground running and begin restoring public trust in Kenya’s electoral system.
Speaking during a consultative meeting with the IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethukon and commissioners Wednesday, Wetang’ula congratulated the team on their appointment but quickly reminded them of the weight of the task ahead.
“Kenyans expect nothing short of impartiality, integrity, professionalism and unwavering commitment to your constitutional mandate,” he said.
“You must be like Caesar’s wife, beyond reproach.”
The Speaker was accompanied by a section of Parliamentary leadership and members of Parliament, in a show of institutional support for the new team.
He underscored Parliament’s willingness to support electoral reforms, including legislative and budgetary frameworks to ensure the Commission runs efficiently.
“We will back any proposals aimed at ensuring continuous funding for the IEBC, to eliminate the budget shortfalls that have plagued its operations in the past,” he stated.
Wetang’ula emphasised that free, fair, and credible elections are the bedrock of Kenya’s democracy and political stability, and that IEBC must act with urgency to cement its role as a trusted referee in the political arena.
Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah echoed the Speaker’s sentiments, noting that the credibility of upcoming by-elections and the 2027 General Election hinges on the Commission’s ability to inspire public confidence.
“The Commission must lay the groundwork now. It is a cornerstone of democracy, and Kenyans are watching,” Ichung’wah said.
Wetang’ula also urged the commissioners to actively engage with all electoral stakeholders, warning that failure to do so could fuel post-election conflicts and erode public confidence even further.
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