Senate approves IEBC amendment Bill, paves way for recruitment of new commissioners

Senate approves IEBC amendment Bill, paves way for recruitment of new commissioners

Senate session on January 19, 2023. PHOTO| COURTESY

The Senate has approved the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendment) Bill of 2022, paving way for the recruitment of new commissioners.

The Senate passed the bill without amendments after Justice and Legal Affairs Committee Chairperson Hillary Sigei withdrew his proposed amendments.

The committee had proposed to reduce the number of slots given to the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) in the selection panel from two to one and increase those of the Political Parties Liason Committee to two from one.

The Senators also rejected an amendment by nominated Senator Catherine Mumma who intended to take away the slot given to the Public Service commission and donate it to the Political Parties Liason Committee.

Twenty-eight senators voted in favour of the IEBC (Amendment) Bill, 2022 which changes the composition of the selection panel that will now have 2 members seconded by the Parliamentary Service Commission. The Public Service Commission will produce one representative while the LSK will second one person to the panel and the inter-religious council will second two members. 

The commission was left without commissioners after the term of Chairperson Wafula Chebukati and commissioners; Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye ended on Tuesday, January 17 after serving for six years as provided for in the constitution.

The other 4 commissioners Commissioners; Juliana Cherera, Justus Nyangáya and Francis Wanderi resigned in the wake of their suspension and formation of a tribunal to investigate their conduct in the August 9, 2022 General Election, while Irene Masit is still battling charges facing her in the tribunal.

According to Section 7A (2) of the IEBC Act, the President shall declare a vacancy in the commission within seven days of occurrence of a vacancy in the office of the chairperson or a member of the commission.

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