Manyatta Member of Parliament Mukunji Gitonga has called on the newly constituted IEBC selection panel to undertake their mandate with outmost transparency.

Speaking on Tuesday, January 28 2025, Mukunji termed the exercise as a matter of national interest, stressing that the panel must settle on men and women of integrity capable of delivering a credible electoral process.

President William Ruto on Monday, January 27, 2025, finally appointed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel to oversee the process of selecting IEBC Commissioners. The panel later took the oath of office on the same day ahead of their new responsibilities.

The process had earlier been delayed by political players jostling to have participants in the panel alongside other courts-related injunctions.

However, with the swearing-in ceremony officially clearing the pathway, Mukunji who has vowed to take a vocal role in the matter warned against further political interference.

Transparent

“We want to tell the people given this responsibility to work as quick as possible and get the commissioners in office. People in every sector are patiently waiting for the reconstitution of the IEBC. The ball is now on the panel’s courts. We expect a transparent, verifiable, and credible process of recruiting the commissioners,” he said.

“Kenyans are watching to see how the whole process goes. We will be watching the names proposed to ensure they are people who a credible election in the country. Anyone joking or slighting this process will be taking this country back to the dark days,” he said.

In a similar vein, Mukunji highlighted that the process of registering voters who have since attained the age of voting will be prioritized.

“There is the process of voters registration of the Gen Zs that has been dragging for two years. We have many youths who should join the voters register as new voters having got their IDS. The process should be to be started as possible,” he added.

Koome’s call

The MP sentiments follow a similar plea made by the judiciary through Chief Justice Martha Koome.

Speaking after after the swearing-in ceremony of the nine-person panel, the president of the apex court reminded the panel that Kenya’s stability and trust in electoral processes was pegged on the individuals who would sit at the helm of IEBC ahead of the next general election.

“The credibility of elections defines the stability of a nation, and history has shown us that when elections are free, fair, and transparent, our country flourishes. However, when they are mismanaged, the consequences are severe, threatening national unity and public trust,” Koome opined.

The electoral office fell vacant after former IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati and commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye exited on January 17, 2023.