‘Ensure IEBC is not populated by political stooges,’ Boya Molu tells Parliament as he leaves office

Outgoing Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Commissioner Boya Molu has urged Parliament to be keen on the integrity of candidates it will vet as commissioners for the electoral body.

Speaking on Monday when IEBC released the post-election evaluation report for the August 9, 2022 polls, Molu, whose tenure ends on January 17, 2023, challenged legislators to ensure the commission is not a group of what he called political stooges.

“Parliament, as you vet commissioners, please ensure the commission is not populated by political stooges. This is a national commission, not a play of political rewards. Lets’s take political rewards elsewhere,” said Molu.

He noted that weak a electoral body risks turning the country into an “unstable democracy,” adding that “it is likely to collapse this country if IEBC plays partisan politics.”

“Parliament as an oversight body has a big responsibility to ensure that does not happen,” said Molu.

“The journey of IEBC as an institution must continue despite who comes and leaves. The commission must remain because minus IEBC, Kenya cannot stand.”

Other IEBC officials whose tenure is also coming to an end are Chairperson Wafula Chebukati and Commissioner Abdi Guliye. 

Molu said God had seen them through their six-year terms despite “pressure” and threats of eviction from office.

“I thank God that we have made it to the end of our six-year journey where for the entire period, removal from office has always been hanging on our heads,” he noted.

“We remain grateful that despite all the pressure, we remain healthy. None of us has ever been admitted to the hospital.”

Last year’s General Election rocked the commission after four of the seven commissioners disowned the presidential election results announced by Chebukati.

Of the other four commissioners; Juliana Cherera, Irene Masit, Justus Nyang’aya and Francis Wanderi; three have since resigned, with Masit the only one remaining and who is now being probed by a tribunal appointed by President William Ruto after petitions were filed challenging their suitability to hold office.