Clergy issue irreducible minimum demand to Ruto amid church- Government fallout.
A group of religious leaders in Nyanza region have expressed serious worries about the long wait for new commissioners to be appointed to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
As per the religious leaders, the extended period of position vacancy within the commission poses a major threat to the trustworthiness and honesty of Kenya’s election procedures leading up to the 2027 General Elections.
The Bishop of Bondo Diocese Prof David Kodia, Bishop of Maseno South Diocese Rev. Charles Onginjo, Bishop of Maseno West John Mark Godia, Rev Simon Onyango, Rev. Patrick Ligawa, Archbishop Church of Christ in Africa, and Bishop Clement Otieno of the Free Pentecostal Church of Kenya led the religious leaders.
Speaking to journalists outside St Stephen Cathedral in Kisumu on Monday, November 18, 2024, religious leaders urged the government to quickly appoint the new commissioners, warning that any delays could erode public confidence in the nation’s electoral process.
The delay in appointing the IEBC commissioners has caused dissatisfaction as some regions remain unrepresented in elective positions, such as Ugunja Constituency where there is still no permanent MP. This occurred following the selection of area MP Opiyo Wandayi to become part of the Broad-Based Government as Energy Cabinet Secretary.
This electoral agency is extremely important. How much longer will the President allow IEBC to remain without addressing the lack of representation in various wards and constituencies at both county and national levels? Where is the fairness in the electoral system? Prof Kodia declared.
The church leaders argued that the IEBC plays a critical role in ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections and that any delay in filling its vacancies compromises the commission’s ability to carry out its duties effectively.
“In a democracy like Kenya, where elections are central to governance and the legitimacy of the government, the proper functioning of the IEBC is crucial,” Prof Kodia said.
The church leaders further emphasized that the ongoing delay is detrimental to the country’s political stability, as it may lead to uncertainty or disputes in future elections.
In addition, church officials highlighted that the extended period without a leader could open up opportunities for political interference, since the current commissioners might be viewed as lacking or biased in their decision-making procedures.
They were worried that this might result in the decline of public trust in the election outcomes, potentially causing a legitimacy crisis.
Professor Kodia emphasized the importance of fast-tracking the appointment of IEBC commissioners to uphold democracy and maintain a strong, comprehensive, and trustworthy electoral system for all Kenyan citizens.
Prof Kodia insisted on receiving a formal declaration from the President regarding the status of the appointment of new IEBC commissioners.
Rev Onyango stated that Kenya requires a government that is attentive to the struggles of average Kenyan citizens.
We require a government that recognizes people’s threshold for excessive taxation. Kenyans require a different voice to hold the government accountable. Onyango emphasized the importance of treating Kenyans with dignity and respecting their voices.
They also asked the President to disclose all state appointments he has made before and after the establishment of the “broad-based government”.
We call for the release of the latest employment and financial status of the state house employees, including the paid prayer warriors. We also require the president to deliver the report on foreign trips that he pledged to reduce. The clergy also insists on the elimination of the position of the first and second ladies, as the president previously announced, as it is not in line with the constitution.
