PUBLIC PETITION FOR THE IMMEDIATE RECONSTITUTION OF THE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL AND BOUNDARIES COMMISSION (IEBC)  

To: The President of the Republic of Kenya, the Parliament of Kenya, The Judiciary.

We, the undersigned citizens of Kenya, raise our collective voices to demand the immediate reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to safeguard the integrity of Kenya's electoral process. The prolonged delay in reconstituting the IEBC has disrupted the electoral cycle and placed the democratic principles of our nation in jeopardy.  

Key Issues Requiring Urgent Attention:

1. Disruption of the Electoral Cycle

The absence of a functioning IEBC has failed to carry out critical electoral activities, including electoral reforms, boundary delimitation, voter education, and voter registration. These activities are essential for a credible, inclusive, and transparent electoral process.  

2. Missed Boundary Delimitation Deadline

The boundary delimitation process, which is vital for ensuring equitable representation, was required by law to be completed by March 28, 2024. This delay undermines the principle of fair representation, particularly in areas experiencing significant population growth or shifts. Without updated boundaries, electoral fairness is compromised, leaving some constituencies overrepresented and others underrepresented.  

3. Voter Education and Registration Challenges

Kenya’s youthful population, despite showing increasing interest in governance, remains largely unregistered to vote. Furthermore, the lack of voter education denies citizens the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions, effectively disenfranchising a significant portion of the electorate.  

4. Vacant Legislative Seats

Some constituencies and wards have been left without representation in the National Assembly and County Assemblies due to the deaths and promotions of legislators. Some seats have been vacant for over 18 months, depriving constituents of their right to representation and access to essential services.  

5. Budgetary and Planning Delays

The IEBC lacks commissioners to defend and secure its budget from the National Treasury. This situation jeopardizes preparations for the 2027 General Elections, including the procurement of election materials and the recruitment and training of electoral staff, posing a risk to the credibility of the electoral process.  

Our Demands: 
We hereby demand the following actions:  
1. The immediate completion of the process to reconstitute the IEBC, including the appointment of commissioners as per the Constitution and relevant laws.  
2. Prioritization of the stalled boundary delimitation process to ensure fair and equitable representation of all Kenyans.  
3. Urgent allocation of funds to the IEBC to facilitate pending by-elections and the resumption of voter education and registration campaigns.  
4. A clear and publicized timeline for the IEBC's readiness to conduct the 2027 General Elections.  

Why This Matters:  
Kenya’s democracy hinges on the principles of transparency, fairness, and inclusivity. The failure to address these issues promptly risks undermining public confidence in the electoral system and could lead to increased voter apathy or electoral disputes. Every Kenyan deserves to participate in a credible electoral process, and this begins with a well-prepared and functional IEBC.  

We call on all citizens, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to support this petition and ensure that our democratic rights are upheld.  

Sign the Petition on Change.org and join the call for action! Together, we can protect Kenya’s democracy and secure free, fair, and credible elections.

Signed,  
David Ian Okatch  
Citizen Elections Observer