LSK President Faith Odhiambo calls on Judiciary to resolve IEBC standoff

The President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Faith Odhiambo has sounded an alarm over the prolonged delay in the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), describing it as a "ticking time bomb" that threatens the country's constitutional and democratic stability.

In a statement issued through her X account on Tuesday morning, the advocate called on the Judiciary to expedite the ruling on the selection panel saying that the nation is at risk of breaching constitutional timelines further thereby aiding and abetting malpractices in the 2027 elections.

"Amid the disconcerting murmurs from some political players of their intention to defeat and derail the will of the people of Kenya in 2027, the delay in the reconstitution of the IEBC becomes an even more urgent undertaking. Our political context is at the brink of implosion, and we must unite efforts towards getting the Commission set up and ready to go," stated Odhiambo.

She further noted that the onus was now on The Court of Appeal to make a ruling after The High Court rendered its judgment over the dispute pitting Mr. Augustus Muli and The Azimio la Umoja Coalition over three months ago.

"The abuse of court to stifle a constitutionally time-bound process is an affront to the principles and objects of judicial authority, and we invite the court to assert its firm defence of these all too important principles," she said.

According to Odhiambo, one of the most pressing issues resulting from the lack of IEBC commissioners is the delimitation of boundaries.

"The IEBC is responsible for reviewing constituency and ward boundaries every eight to twelve years. The last review was conducted in 2012, and the next review was due by March 2024. We have failed to honour this deadline, and without a functioning Commission, the delimitation process cannot be completed," noted the advocate.

Speaking on voter apathy, Odhiambo pointed out the role of the Commission in carrying out civic education after the voter turnout of 65% witnessed in the 2022 General Election.

"The lack of a Commission is preventing the implementation of effective civic education programmes, which could further exacerbate voter apathy. As of now, the absence of a Commission is denying representation to citizens Banissa, Magarini, and Ugunja constituencies where by-elections are due," she noted.

Her sentiments come in the wake of calls from government officers allied to President Ruto that they will do anything, including rigging elections, to ensure that he does not become the republic's first one-term leader.