Homa Bay Member of Parliament (MP) George Peter Kaluma has criticised recent court orders suspending the vetting of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners, calling the decision a setback to the country’s electoral preparedness.

In a statement shared via his official X account on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Kaluma argued that the suspension goes against the public interest, emphasising the need for a fully constituted electoral commission to oversee the upcoming by-elections and prepare for the 2027 general elections.

“The orders issued suspending vetting of @IEBCKenya Commissioners run contrary to public interest in a properly constituted electoral commission to undertake the pending by-elections and to prepare adequately for the 2027 general elections,” Kaluma stated.

He further warned that the court’s decision risks creating a constitutional standoff between the judiciary and Parliament.

“The decision also puts @Kenyajudiciary and @parliamentkenya at loggerheads – the courts have no jurisdiction to stop Parliament. You can imagine what would happen were parliament to ignore the orders in public interest!” he added.

IEBC vetting suspended

Kaluma’s remarks come after the High Court on Monday, May 20, 2025, suspended the IEBC vetting process until May 29, 2025, raising concerns that the standoff could delay election preparations and create confusion in the country’s governance.

The court’s decision followed a petition by activists Kelvin Roy Omondi and Boniface Mwangi, who sought to stop the National Assembly from vetting and approving President William Ruto’s nominees for IEBC chairperson and commissioner positions.

Appearing before Justice Lawrence Mugambi, lawyer Paul Muite, representing the petitioners, termed the public participation done on the matter as inadequate, stating a lack of information in the public on the selection of the IEBC chairperson and the commissioners.

“We do not wish the justice system here again to undermine our people; it is therefore critical and vital that care be taken in the manner in which we go forward in the future; that is something that the panel failed to do,” lawyer Muite told the court.

Irregularities

Further, Muite pointed out that the selection panel violated the constitution, urging the court to fully address all the issues raised in the petition.

According to the petition, Omondi and Mwangi state that several applicants except Hassan Noor Hassan were shortlisted for interviews, and they attended the interviews for Chairperson and Members of the IEBC.

The petitioner also noted that the selection process lacked transparency, claiming that some names were irregularly added to the shortlist under unclear circumstances and later interviewed by the now-defunct IEBC Selection Panel.

He further stated that the process was not merit-based, noting that some candidates who scored poorly in interviews or had integrity concerns were included, which they believe compromised the credibility of the entire exercise.

“That the nominations are not only illegal but also unconstitutional for failing the requirements of public appointments as espoused under Articles 10, 232 and 250(3) & (4) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, as read with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act and the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Chapter 7F, Laws of Kenya,” part of the petition read.

The orders issued suspending vetting of @IEBCKenya Commissioners run contrary to public interest in a properly constituted electoral commission to undertake the pending by-elections and to prepare adequately for the 2027 general elections.
The decision also puts @Kenyajudiciary…

— Hon. George Peter Kaluma, CBS. MP. (Commentaries) (@gpdkaluma) May 20, 2025