This archive report was first published on 2 September 2021.
Published on September 2, 2021, Nairobi — The National Assembly has given the green light to four nominees to join the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in Kenya.
The approved nominees are Juliana Whonge Cherera, Francis Mathenge Wanderi, Irene Cherop Masit, and Justus Abonyo Nyang'aya.
With the approval by 58 members present during the special sitting, President Uhuru Kenyatta can now gazette the names of the new commissioners before they are sworn in by Chief Justice Martha Koome.
The four nominees will replace Roselyn Akombe, Margaret Mwachanya, Paul Kurgat, and former vice-chair Consolata Maina who resigned from the Commission after the 2017 General Election.
MPs Amos Kimunya, Aden Duale, Jenipher Shamalla, and John Mbadi raised concerns that the August 9, 2022 election is approaching, and the need to replace the seats is urgent.
Kimunya cautioned the new commissioners that the future, peace, and stability of the country depend on the actions the IEBC will take going forward.
"If they can deliver a credible election, then there will be peace. If they deliver a doubtful election, we do not want to contemplate what will happen. The ball is in their court," The Leader of the Majority in the House stated.
MPs also urged the new commissioners to enhance voter education and ensure that registered voters are sensitized to curb cases of spoiled votes.
