Starting next Monday, a vital process that would make or break Kenya after the 2027 General Election is scheduled to start in Nairobi, albeit with some disquiet in sections of society.

The highly sensitive process of selecting new members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) kicks off after a two-year push and pull among the political elite.

With the political landscape still bruised from the aftermath of the 2022 elections, which saw contentious outcomes, the appointment of new IEBC commissioners must be handled with the utmost care and clarity to avoid the spectre of violence, blame games, and erosion of public trust.

The IEBC has some of the most critical duties, including overseeing elections that have far-reaching consequences for the nation’s democratic stability.

A fair and effective electoral process is the cornerstone of any thriving democracy in the world.

In Kenya, however, the IEBC has frequently been at the centre of controversy, especially following contentious elections like those in 2007 and 2017.

The 2007 elections, in particular, saw the reelection of President Mwai Kibaki under controversial circumstances, leading to widespread violence, with over 1,000 lives lost and millions displaced.

Even the 2017 elections, though deemed largely peaceful, were marred by allegations of manipulation and malpractices, culminating in a historic Supreme Court ruling that nullified the presidential election results.
The 2022 elections, although also relatively peaceful, still witnessed serious disputes regarding the electoral process.

This history has made the IEBC a focal point of scrutiny and suspicion. The 2027 elections, therefore, provide an opportunity for Kenya to start afresh and ensure that all electoral processes are seen as legitimate and above reproach.

Given this fraught history, the selection of new commissioners should not be tainted by partisanship, secrecy, or perceived bias. There is an urgent need for a transparent and inclusive process to ensure that everything is above board.

The public must have faith that the new commissioners were chosen based on their qualifications, integrity, and commitment to fairness, rather than their political affiliations or loyalties.

Only then can the IEBC restore its credibility and regain the trust of the people.