Tuesday, July 9th event, Kenya witnessed a significant step towards electoral reform as
President William Ruto assented to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission
(IEBC) Amendment Bill 2024 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). The
ceremony underscored Ruto’s commitment to implementing the new electoral laws, aligning
closely with recommendations outlined in the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report.
Key among the reforms is establishing a new, fully constituted IEBC team expected to be in
place by either October 28th or November 4th. To facilitate this, nominated bodies will swiftly
forward names to the President through the Public Service Commission (PSC) within 14 days.
Upon receipt, President Ruto will appoint the panel within a week. This newly appointed panel
will then have a 90-day window to conclude the recruitment process for the chairperson and
additional members, expanding the team from 7 to 9 members for enhanced efficiency and
representation.
The significance of this event was highlighted by the presence of key political figures including
Azimio leader Raila Odinga and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, alongside National
Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and other dignitaries. President Ruto emphasized that the
newly appointed commissioners must uphold transparency, impartiality, efficiency, accuracy,
and accountability in managing elections.
The amendments aim to enhance electoral integrity and public trust. As the country prepares for
the forthcoming electoral cycle, these reforms are expected to set a strong framework for
conducting free and fair elections.