President William Ruto’s Economic Advisor Moses Kuria has come out to throw his weight behind Justice Isaac Lenaola who kicked a storm by criticising the government and the opposition for failing to appoint the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners.

Speaking at the Regional Conference on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital and Social media in elections in Kenya, Lenaola who sits in the Apex Court of the country, stated he does not understand how Members of Parliament can continue to pass laws on other subjects while ignoring the most important one.

He questioned the reluctance from those tasked with overseeing the process arguing that the more the process delays the less time the commission will have to prepare for the 2027 polls.

Lenaola thus challenged the netizens to start the hashtag #AppointIEBCNow.

“I am one of those Judges who are not limited in expressing my mind. I speak my mind. Mtanipeleka wapi? Si Manyata ni hapa Samburu. I don’t understand why we are busy passing legislation very quickly on other subjects that are politically important but we don’t look at what is extremely important for this country.

“For example the Electoral Commission, how can a country like ours stand on her feet if we do not have an electoral commission? Elections are in 2027, this is 2024, when will this commission be prepared?” he posed.

“But why don’t we use social media to impact legislation? Why don’t we have a hashtag ‘Appoint IEBC Now’ and spread it? Those who have an opportunity will follow it,” he added.

Moses Kuria shows support

Although some government officials, including Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruyoit, took the offensive stance, Kuria has come to support Lenaola’s sentiments.

Parliament is the easiest scapegoat for all our societal ills.
I am surprised the my friend Justice Lenaola would want to blame us on the IEBC standoff .
As Bunge, we passed the necessary legislation close to a year ago.
It is the JUDICIARY that has stalled progress with…

— Aaron Cheruiyot (@Aaroncheruiyot) December 6, 2024

In a statement on Saturday, December 7, 2024, Kuria noted that the country is living dangerously without the commissioners.

Thus, he urged the members tasked with overseeing the process to meet by next Monday, December 9, 2024, to kickstart the process.

” I urge the other members to meet on Monday and kick off the process of advertising for IEBC Commissioners latest by Friday 13th December,” his statement read in part.

He pointed an accusing finger at the Wiper Party claiming that it had appointed a representative to sit on the selection panel thus delaying the IEBC constitution process.

Even without the WIPER representative at the IEBC Selection Panel, I agree with Justice Lenaola. The Panel is Quorate. I urge the other members to meet on Monday and kick off the process of advertising for IEBC Commissioners latest by Friday 13th December. We are living…

— Hon.Moses Kuria,HSC (@HonMoses_Kuria) December 7, 2024

Wafula Chebukati and commissioners Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu called it a day on January 17, 2023, six years after the initial seven-member team was sworn into office in 2018.

The positions including those of other commissioners were declared vacant. However, since date, the country has not filled those positions.

In the absence of a commission, many activities cannot take place, including holding of by-elections at all levels.