President William Ruto has declared Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson and five commissioner positions vacant.
In a gazette notice dated February 14, 2023, Ruto said he made the decision after the new IEBC Bill was signed into law on January 23, 2023.
"Therefore in exercise of the powers conferred by section 7A (2) of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act. 2011 as read with paragraph 1 I) of the First Schedule to the Act. I. William Samoei Rut, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces declare vacancies in the positions of - a)Chairperson: and b) Five Members of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission," Ruto said.
The gazettement of the vacant positions comes at a time when Raila Odinga-led Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition has opposed the filling of the vacant positions at the electoral body.
IEBC commissioners
Six positions, including that of the chair, are up for grabs following the retirement of Wafula Chebukati (chair), Boya Molu, and Abdi Guliye.
Three commissioners—Juliana Cherera, Justus Nyang’aya and Francis Wanderi—resigned last year rather than face a tribunal to investigate their conduct.
The seventh commissioner Mary Massit is facing a tribunal seeking to remove her from office.
