Jubilee MPs back calls to disband IEBC, want election date changed

IEBC chairman Issack Hassan attending the launch of the "Kura Yangu, Sauti Yangu" campaign at Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi on May 15, 2016. Jubilee MPs, a majority of them from the Mt Kenya region, have supported calls for IEBC commissioners to be dismissed. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Summary

• Among MPs supporting changes at the IEBC are Kabando Wa Kabando (Mukurwe-ini), Kanini Kega (Kieni), Annah Gathecha (Kiambu County woman rep), Mithika Linturi (Igembe South), Esther Murugi (Nyeri Town), Peter Weru (Mathira) and Robert Pukose (Endebes).
• Dr Pukose said the election date should be changed to March 2018, but only after restructuring the entire IEBC including its secretariat..

The lawmakers said Kenyans have lost faith in the IEBC and it is time to remake it.Jubilee MPs, a majority of them from the Mt Kenya region, have supported calls for IEBC commissioners to be dismissed.
The lawmakers also want the election date to be changed from August to December, arguing that the August date is inconvenient, especially if a new team of the electoral body is installed.
They also want the entire electoral body — its commissioners and the secretariat — overhauled.
The MPs told the Nation that Kenyans have lost faith in the IEBC and it is time to remake it.
However, they said the restructuring should follow the Constitution.
Among MPs supporting changes at the IEBC are Kabando Wa Kabando (Mukurwe-ini), Kanini Kega (Kieni), Annah Gathecha (Kiambu County woman rep), Mithika Linturi (Igembe South), Esther Murugi (Nyeri Town), Peter Weru (Mathira) and Robert Pukose (Endebes).
Those who support changing the election date from August to December include Mr Kabando, Mr Kega, Dr Pukose and Ms Gathecha.
Mr Linturi, Priscilla Nyokabi (Nyeri County woman rep), Ms Murugi and Nelson Gaichuhie (Subukia) said although they support reforms at the IEBC, they have no problem with the election date.
“Reading of the national budget for the entire East Africa countries was harmonized to [happen] on the same date in June. This month is too close to August and things might not go well; we need to change the date as we carry our restructuring measures in IEBC,” said Ms Gathecha.
“Definitely, the overhaul of IEBC will mean a totally new recruitment process, familiarization and setting brand-new platforms," said Mr Kabando.
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Mr Linturi, however, cautioned the Opposition, saying the rule of law should be followed and street protests are an improper approach.
He said: “If all these changes will be done for the better of Kenyans, so be it, but all I know is that citizens of Kenya have really lost confidence [in the] IEBC.”
Mathira MP, Peter Weru said holding elections in December would make more sense than in August, when they might disrupt learning.
“Although this constitutional body is not working as Kenyans would want it to, we should not remove it through protests and if we do so, then be sure all the other constitutional bodies will face the same wrath … ,” Ms Murugi said.
Dr Pukose said the election date should be changed to March 2018, but only after restructuring the entire IEBC including its secretariat.
“This will give the new IEBC officials time as well as allow elected leaders to serve their full five-year term,” he said.
However, Mr Gaichuhie (Subukia) said the best way forward is to dismantle the IEBC as a whole and build a new team.