IEBC Chairperson Makes Appeal to Kenyans after Being Sworn in to Lead Commission: "Stand Firm"
- IEBC chairman Erastus Ethekon has promised Kenyans a free and fair vote in 2027; he also revealed where his loyalty lies
- Ethekon took over the commission as its third chairman since its establishment; he was preceded by the late Wafula Chebukati and current IPOA chairman Isaack Hassan
- The new chairman invited Kenyans to be firm in their resolve for democracy and help the commission uphold the integrity of the vote
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Kai Eli, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Erastus Ethekon has assured Kenyans of a free and credible general election in 2027.
Source: Twitter
He declared his loyalty to the citizenry as he undertakes his roles at he helm of the electoral commission.
What did IEBC chairman promise Kenyans?
Allaying concerns of presumed bias, Ethekon said the aspirations of Kenyans told through the ballot would be preserved under his leadership of the IEBC.
"I wish to say to the country, that my first and foremost loyalty is to the people of Kenya who hold the sovereign power under Article 1 of our constitution, and that power allows them, therefore, to exercise their sovereign responsibility, including their right to vote, and therefore, I wish to assure Kenyans that their voices will not only be heard, but they will also count during the coming elections," he said.
The chairman appreciated that an election is the only tool to affirm democracy, calling on Kenyans to stand firm in that pursuit.
What IEBC chairman requested from Kenyans
He said the IEBC would need the support of the people as the commissioners look forward to realising the commission's objective of preserving the dignity of the country and democracy through free and fair elections.
"As we look ahead, I urge you to stand firm in your commitment to democratic values. Together, we must build a stronger more resilient nation," he said.
Ethekon and six other commissioners were sworn in at the Supreme Court on Friday, July 11, in the presence of Chief Justice Martha Koome to begin their six-year term in the electoral body.
The 2027 General Election will be the commission's herculean task; meanwhile, there is a host of by-elections that the team will be starting their run with.
Source: Twitter
Speaking after the swearing in of the commissioners, CJ Koome urged them to undertake their duties with integrity while taking into account the concerns and expectations of the Kenyan public.
The team was sworn in a day after the High Court in Nairobi threw out a petition that had been filed to challenge their nominations done by President William Ruto.
What court ruled in IEBC appointments case
According to the petitioners, the recruitment process was unprocedural, citing elements of conflict of interest.
The court would later issue conservatory orders on May 29, stopping the process until the petition was determined.
Even with the orders in place, the National Assembly's Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) went ahead to vet the nominees, who were later approved by the house.
The names were then transmitted to the president, who gazetted the appointments on June 10.
On July 10, a three-judge bench quashed Ruto's gazette notice but upheld the appointments.
According to the judges, the recruitment of the commissioners did not flout the law; the petition was therefore dismissed as one without merit.
The judges directed the president to regazette the appointments, after which the new commissioners would be sworn in.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
