Days after President William Ruto appointed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel, the Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Masika Wetang’ula expressed fears that the boundary delimitation process may be the biggest casualty of the delayed reconstitution of the electoral agency.

Speaking on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, during the mid-term retreat for members of parliament, Wetang’ula boldly claimed that it may not be possible to create additional constituencies in the remaining two years before the next polls.

“The delay in the reconstitution of IEBC stalled crucial activities, including boundary delimitation, which is vital for the country’s electoral system, as well as the timely conduct of by-elections in constituencies and wards that have experienced vacancies,” Wetang’ula stated.

“It is indeed also true the delay in the reconstitution of IEBC, we have lost a lot of time because of being embroiled in court. We do not know whether there will be possibility in the boundaries delimitation once they the new commissioners assume office,” he added.

Article 89 of the constitution on delimitation of electoral units, states that there shall be two hundred and ninety constituencies for the election of the members of the National Assembly.

Article 97 (1) (a) (b) provides that the National Assembly consists of two hundred and ninety members, each elected by the registered voters of single-member constituencies and forty-seven women, each elected by the registered voters of the counties, each county constituting a single member constituency.

It further states that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission shall review the names and boundaries of constituencies at intervals of not less than eight years, and not more than twelve years, but any review shall be completed at least twelve months before a general election of members of Parliament.

Only option

The speaker told the lawmakers that the only IEBC could execute the boundary delimitation exercise was through demographic-based adjustments that could allow the IEBC to redraw boundaries by redistributing populations within existing constituencies.

“The only changes possible will involve demographic adjustments, but there will be no increase in the total number of constituencies,” he explained, urging Members of Parliament to support the IEBC in carrying out this task once the new commissioners are in office.

“The importance of having a fully constituted commission cannot be overstated, as it directly affects the conduct of elections and the accuracy of electoral boundaries, which are crucial for fair representation in Parliament.”

Expedite the process

While highlighting the pending danger ahead, Wetang’ula called on the selection panel sworn in on Monday, January 27, 2025, to expedite the nomination and appointment of Commissioners.

He made it known to the panel that some constituencies and wards had lost elected representatives due to various reasons, including death or resignation, and that they had yet to conduct by-elections, leaving their residents without proper representation for extended periods.

Wetang’ula challenged the panel (Kiome Lindah Gakii, Oloo Adams, James Evans Misati, Nicodemus Kipchirchir Bore, Koki Muli Grignon, Carolene Kituku, Tanui Andrew Kipkoech, Nelson Makanda, and Fatuma Saman) to expedite the process bearing in mind the big task ahead of them.

“It is imperative that the IEBC selection panel speedily reconstitutes the commission to allow the people of Kenya to have full representation in Parliament and in their local wards,” Speaker Wetang’ula affirmed.

He added: “The longer we delay the reconstitution of the IEBC, the more we risk disenfranchising citizens who are entitled to be represented by their elected leaders.”