MP opposes CORDs proposal on IEBC commissioners appointment

Manyatta Member of Parliament, John Muchiri, has opposed recommendations by the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) that political parties nominate individuals to the new-look Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Muchiri said that by allowing parties to nominate IEBC commissioners, the independence of the commission will be jeopardised since each individual would want to please his party and not Kenyans.

The legislature added that the Constitution is clear on how IEBC commissioners should be appointed adding that any procedures that contravene the Constitution were a recipe for chaos.

Muchiri said that the Constitution was clear that anyone who was interested in the IEBC position should make an application should the Public Service Commission Board with only those who qualify getting the positions.

He said that the proposal by CORD was aimed at changing the commission into a tribal outfit whose outcome could be detrimental to the country’s peace.

The MP said that the current understanding among Kenyans was that the country holds a peaceful election that would be acceptable by both sides of the political divide.

His pronouncement comes just days after the commissioners agreed to vacate office through a negotiated agreement.

In their submission at the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Wednesday, the commissioners said that they would not be a stumbling block in the reformation of the commission and expressed willingness to continue with preparations for the next General Election.

“The country is bigger than any of us and if there will be a political settlement, the commission will not be a stumbling block,” said Hassan.

On Sunday, a section of Jubilee Members of Parliament led by Gatundu South’s Moses Kuria proposed that the retired head of the Anglican Church in Kenya, Eliud Wabukala, takes over as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) boss.

Speaking at Pan Paper grounds in Lugari Constituency on Sunday, Kuria – who was in the company of Lugari MP Ayub Savula and his Mathare counterpart Stephen Kariuki – said that the electoral commission boss must be a neutral person, exhibit high integrity and be a respectable person.