Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-12 05:30:00
President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga are on a collision course over the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The push and pull between the lieutenants of the two political leaders present a looming threat to the recruitment of members of the electoral agency. As leaders in both camps advocate for different approaches to the restructuring of the IEBC, a major standoff is anticipated as Parliament resumes its sessions.
In the midst of this conflict, there are concerns about a potential constitutional crisis as time is running out on the review of constituency boundaries, a task that should be undertaken by a properly constituted IEBC. The Opposition is advocating for the National Dialogue Committee (Nadco) route to be followed, while their Kenya Kwanza counterparts favor the selection panel approach.
The National Assembly Minority Leader, Opiyo Wandayi, has firmly stated that the Opposition will reject any changes spearheaded by the Nelson Makanda-led IEBC Selection Panel. He emphasized the need to prioritize the Nadco report, stating that it provides a framework to guide the process of overhauling the IEBC. He warned against taking the matter lightly and insisted that the National Assembly and the Senate should prioritize the debate on the Nadco report upon resumption.
Raila Odinga has also expressed his stance, rejecting a court ruling that paved the way for the selection panel to resume the recruitment process for the IEBC chairperson and commissioners. Odinga insists that the formation of the new IEBC can only proceed after the passage of the Nadco report in Parliament. With the IEBC lacking a chairperson and six commissioners, the urgency of the situation is evident.
While Azimio leaders assert the importance of honoring the Nadco report and Parliamentary agreement, Kenya Kwanza leaders have criticized their counterparts, likening their actions to those of a “spoiled and unreasonable child.” This contention has escalated to the point where some lawmakers are lobbying fellow senators and MPs not to discuss or permit the tabling of the Nadco report until the IEBC Selection Panel is allowed to proceed with its mandate.
In response, the IEBC Selection Panel has outlined plans to continue the recruitment process, emphasizing the completion of shortlisting, publication, and subsequent interviews for the positions of the chairperson and members of the IEBC. Despite the panel’s endeavors, the conflicting directions advocated by the two political camps present a formidable obstacle to the reconstitution of the electoral body.
The situation is further complicated by the alleged rush to overhaul the IEBC before the Nadco report is addressed, raising concerns about the politicization of the process. As the standoff between the two political camps intensifies, the need for bipartisan cooperation and a concerted effort to ensure free and fair elections becomes more crucial than ever.
In conclusion, the clash over the reconstitution of the IEBC has created a turbulent political landscape, with the fate of the electoral agency hanging in the balance. Both camps are entrenched in their positions, presenting a challenge to the smooth operation and reconstitution of the electoral body. As the political titans, William Ruto and Raila Odinga, stand firm in their respective narratives, the urgency to find a middle ground and prioritize the national interest becomes increasingly pressing.
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