IEBC chair hopeful Asembo says Kenyans need a more accessible, responsive commission
He said the IEBC commissioners and the chairperson should be fully involved in critical activities like voter registration and boundary reviews, as these are fundamental to the country's electoral process.
Robert Akumu Asembo, a former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) official and contender for the chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), has called for an IEBC that is more accessible and responsive to the Kenyan population.
Speaking before the IEBC selection panel on Wednesday, Asembo emphasised the importance of the IEBC engaging with communities across the country, particularly in rural and remote areas, to effectively carry out its responsibilities.
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"The IEBC must ensure its presence is positively felt by the Kenyan folk and communities, especially through its activities and endeavours that directly target the different electoral zones," said Asembo.
He said that IEBC's current centralisation in Nairobi has led to a disconnect between the commission and the broader Kenyan public.
He stressed that for the IEBC to truly serve all regions of the country, it must extend its presence beyond the capital city, ensuring that the commission is not confined to its headquarters at Anniversary Towers.
"We don't want a commission that is solely based in Nairobi, disconnected from the realities on the ground, particularly in Kenya's rural and remote areas,” stated Asembo.
The city lawyer stated that his vision for the IEBC is one where the chairperson is accessible and engaged with the people of Kenya.
"I would like to be that chair of the IEBC who will be reachable to the very roots of our nationhood, and not just be based at the headquarters at Anniversary Towers," he explained.
Asembo emphasised the need for a chairperson who listens and responds to the needs and concerns of all Kenyans, rather than staying isolated at the commission's headquarters.
He said the IEBC commissioners and the chairperson should be fully involved in critical activities like voter registration and boundary reviews, as these are fundamental to the country's electoral process.
"I believe the commissioners themselves and the chair himself must be the lead, as they have full-time roles in these matters," he said.
He noted that it is essential for the commission to understand and address the local realities on the ground, which can only be achieved by having a visible and engaged leadership across the country.
He outlined his priorities for the 2027 general elections, emphasising the need for urgent legal reforms.
"One of my first priorities will be addressing gaps in the law, particularly ensuring that regulations for the Election Campaign Funding Act are put in place promptly," he said.
He also highlighted the importance of reforming the law, noting that the Referenda Act and its regulations are still absent and should be prioritised.
Asembo further stressed the need to clean up the voter register and ensure accurate voter registration, as well as address the long-standing issue of boundary delimitation.
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