UK, US, 10 other embassies laud appointment of IEBC Chair, Commissioners

In a joint statement published on Tuesday, ambassadors and high commissioners of Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, Australia, Switzerland, Norway, Canada, the UK, the US, Sweden, and Finland reiterated the critical role that independent institutions play in upholding the rule of law. 

In particular, the embassies pointed out the role IEBC plays in providing transparent and credible elections. 

"We trust the new commissioners will carry out their mandate with impartiality, transparency and professionalism in service to all Kenyans," the statement read in part. 

To facilitate this, the embassies called for the National Treasury to allocate sufficient budgetary support to the commission, enabling it to effectively carry out its mandate. 

"Looking ahead, we encourage the National Assembly and National Treasury to provide the IEBC with timely and sufficient budgetary support, which is essential to its effective and independent operation," the statement read in part. 

"We also urge relevant institutions to take the necessary steps to ensure all eligible citizens can register as voters and participate in the electoral process."

The embassies reiterated their commitment to strengthening Kenya's electoral systems to boost public trust in the country's democratic institutions. 

On Friday, July 11, Erastus Edung Ethekon was sworn in as the new IEBC chair alongside six new commissioners namely Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah.