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President William Ruto has assented to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Bill.

This is the first bill successfully processed by Parliament based on the recommendations of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report.

The Bill paves the way for the appointment of IEBC chairperson and commissioners to fill the vacant positions.

Speaking after signing the Bill, Ruto lauded the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) for helping mediate the political divide to forge consensus on a number of priority national issues including the reconstitution of the IEBC.

“Today’s assent of the IEBC amendment bill therefore marks a significant step in the actualisation of one of the recommendations of NADCO and testifies to our country’s ability to navigate difficult, complex and sometimes divisive issues that could undermine national cohesion, stability and security, if left unattended,” Ruto said.

“The signing of this bill paves the way for the establishment of the selection panel for appointing IEBC commissioners. The IEBC remains a cornerstone of our democracy, responsible for overseeing regular elections at various levels and overall ensuring that our electoral cycle is managed transparently and administered in an impartial, neutral, efficient, accurate and accountable manner.”

Ruto says the spirit of NADCO is the spirit of unity, bipartisanship and consensus building, values which have helped the nation overcome its most challenging moments.

“Even as I assent to this important bill, I look forward to supporting and facilitating any other outputs of national consensus to ensure that Kenya moves forward with as many hands on deck as possible. Beyond NADCO, we are currently engaged in discussions about our economy,” Ruto said.

Ruto has also called on leaders and other stakeholders to engage in dialogue to resolve the crises facing the country.

“As a way of charting the future from the current situation we are facing, I welcome leaders and other stakeholders, for us to work together and address the current economic situation through a broad-based political arrangement to rally the country forward,” he said.

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