IEBC Selection Panel Pressured to Act Despite Opposition Absence

A bipartisan team in Kenya, known as Kenya Kwanza, is urging the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Selection Panel to proceed with the hiring of new commissioners, even if the Azimio faction fails to attend a meeting scheduled for next week. George Murugara, the co-chair of the Joint Committee leading Kenya Kwanza, stated that they have given Azimio a final opportunity on Tuesday. Murugara emphasized that the country cannot be held hostage regarding the reconstitution of the IEBC. He further added that he would contact his co-chair, Otiende Amollo, to invite Azimio for the meeting.

Murugara warned that if the opposition faction, Azimio, refuses to attend the meeting next week, legal action will be taken. The Kenya Kwanza team, headed by the Tharaka MP, held a press conference at Parliament buildings, where they accused the Azimio faction of holding the country hostage.

The appointment of new commissioners for the IEBC was one of the agenda items discussed by the Joint Committee, which was formed to address the anti-government demonstrations that arose after the presidential election on August 9.

The Kenya Kwanza bipartisan team is pressuring the IEBC Selection Panel to proceed with the hiring of new commissioners, regardless of whether the Azimio faction attends the upcoming meeting. They argue that the country cannot be held hostage by delays in reconstituting the IEBC. If the opposition fails to attend the meeting, the Kenya Kwanza team intends to pursue legal action. The appointment of new commissioners is an important matter that arose from the Joint Committee formed to address the post-election demonstrations.