‘Next commission should have professional, honest leaders,’ Ruto says after signing IEBC Amendment Act

President William Ruto has assented to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

Speaking after signing the new law at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi on Tuesday, Ruto termed the Act a testament to Kenya’s ability to navigate “difficult, complex and sometimes divisive issues” that threaten national cohesion.

This is the first bill passed by Parliament from recommendations by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) that was constituted after a disputed 2022 presidential election results which saw a section of the IEBC commissioners disown Ruto’s election victory results.

Its signing paves the way for the establishment of the selection panel for the appointment of new IEBC commissioners.

President Ruto said new commissioners should uphold the electoral body’s mandate of ensuring elections are managed transparently and administered in an impartial, efficient, neutral, accurate and accountable manner.

“I concur with leaders who have said there must be professionalism and integrity as part of the cardinal principles of the men and women who will be charged with overseeing our elections,” he said.

He at the same time told Parliament to process the other recommended bills resulting from the NADCO report expeditiously, such as the Conflict of Interest Bill, 2023 which seeks to reduce the risk of corruption, favouritism and bias in the public service.

“I want to ask Parliament to expedite the Conflict of Interest Bill that will support our anti-corruption measures, especially among public officers,” said President Ruto.

Ruto was flanked by his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Attorney-General Justin Muturi, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungw’ah and Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi.

Odinga, who leads the opposition lawmakers, said the Act comes at a time when Kenya is at a crossroads as a result of deadly nationwide protests against taxation and President Ruto’s leadership.

“Most of the issues being raised by the youth today are contained in the NADCO report. If it is implemented fully, it will address all the issues Kenyan youth have raised,” said the former prime minister.

He called for a wider engagement beyond committees such as NADCO for Kenyans to “vomit all that is in their chests” to the government.

Gachagua reiterated his call for Kenyans to stop demonstrating and engage the government in dialogue, saying “I call upon Kenyans to give dialogue and consultation a chance, get off the streets, stay away from destruction of property because the country is greater than any of us.”

On his part, Ichung’wah said the new law is an illustration that “through dialogue, we can talk and surmount all challenges we face as a country.”