UDA MP Calls for Constitutional Amendment to Fix IEBC
Marakwet West MP Timothy Toroitich has urged for a constitutional revision to tackle challenges hampering the functioning of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
At present, the electoral organization lacks commissioners and is unable to fulfill its primary duties, such as overseeing and organizing elections.
Consequently, due to this situation, the Banissa constituency and at least five wards nationwide are devoid of leadership as the commission indefinitely postponed by-elections to facilitate a thorough reconstitution.
Toroitich voiced concerns over the prolonged delay of the mini-elections in these regions and urged lawmakers and all relevant stakeholders to hasten the process of reconstituting the IEBC.
“This was unprecedented. We have a situation where a constituency that has lost an MP who was elected to represent that constituency. The law never anticipated that a member from another constituency will hold brief for Banissa constituency. So as we speak the people of Banissa have not been properly represented as was envisaged by the law. This is a constitutional crisis,” said Toroitich.
The young legislator urged leaders from all political factions to put aside their disagreements and reach a consensus on implementing the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, particularly concerning the reconstitution of the IEBC.
“We must have a political solution to this issue because even if we decide as Kenya Kwanza that we are going to abide by the ruling of the court, that might not give the process sufficient political goodwill because the other party will feel left out, and this process has a leaning towards the next election” added the lawmaker.
Toroitich sides with Raila
Toroitich’s comments came shortly after the High Court’s decision to permit the contentious committee, which had been established earlier, to proceed with the selection of new commissioners.
Azimio leader Raila Odinga voiced his opposition to the High Court’s ruling, maintaining that the reconstitution of the IEBC should strictly adhere to the recommendations outlined in the NADCO report.
Toroitich concurred with the stance of the Azimio leader and urged both parties to overlook the court’s ruling and focus on political strategies that would comprehensively resolve the issue.
“I agree that we must sit down as Parliament and set aside the court order momentarily so that we can discuss the report in totality and adopt the proposal of expanding commissioners from seven to nine, and that will require a constitutional amendment,” suggested the Marakwet West lawmaker.
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UDA MP Calls for Constitutional Amendment to Fix IEBC
