President Ruto Signs Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Bill into Law Amid Calls for Youth Inclusion and Dialogue
The IEBC Bill emerged as a focal point during recent anti-government protests, where the youth demanded the establishment of a robust electoral body to prepare for the 2027 elections
By Charity Chebusiri
President Ruto has signed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Bill 2024 into law.
The signing ceremony took place at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi, attended by notable opposition leaders Raila Odinga (Orange Democratic Movement) and Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper Party), Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and leaders of both houses of parliament.
The enactment of the bill paves the way for the appointment and selection of new electoral commissioners. State House spokesperson Hussein Mohammed highlighted that the IEBC Bill was the first to be processed by parliament based on the recommendations of the National Dialogue Committee (Nadco) report. This report resulted from a bipartisan effort involving President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza and opposition leader Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja.
The IEBC Bill emerged as a focal point during recent anti-government protests, where the youth demanded the establishment of a robust electoral body to prepare for the 2027 elections. Opposition leader Raila Odinga emphasized, “Kenya deserves better. Issues of corruption, discrimination, gender inequality, and unemployment must be addressed.”
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa, who chaired Nadco, stated that the adoption of the IEBC Bill signifies the effectiveness of dialogue. “The adoption of this bill is an indication that dialogue truly works,” he affirmed.
Kalonzo Musyoka urged a renewed focus on the country’s future, acknowledging the influence of the younger generation. “I want to urge that we look at the country afresh. There’s no way we can wish away the Gen Z revolution,” Musyoka remarked. He also called on President Ruto to remove the military from the streets, emphasizing the need for peaceful and democratic processes.
The signing of the IEBC Bill into law marks a significant step towards enhancing electoral transparency and inclusivity, addressing key concerns raised during the protests, and reinforcing the importance of dialogue in the political process.
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