Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has issued a warning to the government, calling for the reconstitution of a well-funded Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) by February 2025 to avert nationwide protests.

In a statement shared via his X account on Friday, December 6, 2024, Amisi highlighted the need for a fully functional IEBC to uphold Kenya’s democratic integrity. He cautioned that citizens would take to the streets if the government failed to act promptly.

“By the latest February 2025, we must have a fully constituted, well-funded IEBC, a failure to which a massive countrywide protest shall be instituted by citizens. We must protect Kenya’s hegemony as a bastion of democracy within the African continent. Kenya needs a Renaissance!” Amisi declared.

By the latest February 2025, we must have a fully constituted, well funded IEBC, a failure to which a massive countrywide protest shall be instituted by citizens . We must protect Kenya's hegemony as a bastion of democracy within the African continent. Kenya needs a Renaissance!

— Hon. Caleb Amisi, MP (@Honcalebamisi) December 6, 2024

The electoral commission has been operating without a chairperson and commissioners following the mass resignation of the Cherera Four and the retirement of former Chair Wafula Chebukati, alongside commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye.

Amisi’s call comes amid growing concerns about the state of Kenya’s electoral system, with barely three years left before the next general election.

Kalonzo on IEBC

Opposition and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka also expressed similar concerns during a regional conference on the use of AI, digital, and social media in elections in Kenya held on December 3, 2024.

Kalonzo urged political leaders and stakeholders to prioritize the reconstitution of the IEBC, setting aside personal interests for the greater good of the nation. He highlighted the need for urgency in addressing the electoral body’s challenges, warning of dire consequences if the issue remains unresolved.

“I urge those standing in the way of reconstituting IEBC to see the bigger picture. They should set aside their narrow selfish interests in preference to the greater good of the nation,” Kalonzo stated.

He further appealed for a swift resolution to the impasse, stressing the importance of a credible electoral process.

“Please allow us to reconstitute IEBC as soon as possible,” he said.

Democracy at risk

Resigned United States Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman warned that Kenya’s democracy was at risk due to lack of a functioning electoral system.

Speaking in October during a meeting, IEBC Commission Secretary and CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan, the former ambassador called for urgent measures to stabilize the institution.

“IEBC Kenya’s ability to support democracy in Kenya is at risk without the recruitment of commissioners or parliamentary action to provide IEBC funding for voter registration, by-elections, and other election activities,” she stated.