Anglican Archbishop Joins Opposition in Urging Action on IEBC Reconstitution

The Anglican Church of Kenya Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit has joined the opposition in raising concerns over delays in reconstituting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), a process that has stalled for over two years.

Speaking on Sunday after a church service, Archbishop Sapit warned that the impasse jeopardizes preparations for the 2027 General Election. He emphasized the need for a fully functional and well-trained IEBC to ensure timely procurement and seamless election management.

“We need an IEBC that is prepared to handle elections on time, ensuring the team is trained adequately to manage the process,” the Archbishop said. He also stressed the importance of registering new voters, particularly the youth, to uphold their constitutional right to vote.

Sapit labeled the current state of affairs a violation of voters’ rights and called for immediate action to appoint new commissioners. “Let us prioritize the country’s interests over our own. Having no IEBC is a disservice to Kenyans,” he appealed.

Meanwhile, opposition leaders, led by Kalonzo Musyoka, accused President William Ruto of delaying the reconstitution of the electoral body, dismissing claims that opposition court cases were to blame. Kalonzo insisted that his team adhered to timelines and accused the government of orchestrating the delays.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki defended the government, citing a court injunction that halted the reconstitution process. He urged involved parties to seek an out-of-court settlement to expedite the process.

Mounting pressure from various groups has intensified calls to address the issue. In August, a dispute arose over the Azimio representative on the IEBC selection panel, further complicating efforts to reconstitute the commission.

The IEBC’s prolonged dysfunction has sparked nationwide concern about the readiness for the 2027 elections.