Western envoys press Kenya to fund polls as new IEBC team takes charge

Western envoys welcome new IEBC team, urge Kenya to fund polls as Ethekon and six commissioners take office. [File, Standard]

Western envoys have welcomed the appointment of the new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) team and urged Kenya to fund the body to ensure credible elections.

In a joint statement on Tuesday, June 15, ambassadors and high commissioners from the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, Australia, Switzerland, Norway, Canada, Britain, Sweden and Finland said the IEBC is vital in upholding Kenya's constitution and public trust in elections.

"We welcome the appointment of the new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairperson and commissioners," said the envoys.

They urged the National Assembly and the National Treasury to allocate timely and adequate funding to enable the IEBC to operate independently.

"We trust the new commissioners will carry out their mandate with impartiality, transparency and professionalism," noted the envoys.

They called on state agencies to ensure all eligible citizens can register and vote.

"We stand ready to work in partnership to strengthen electoral systems and build public confidence in Kenya's democracy," explained the envoys.

President William Ruto appointed Erastus Edung Ethekon as the new chairperson of the IEBC on June 10.

In the same gazette notice, Ruto named six new commissioners: Ann Njeri Nderitu, Registrar of Political Parties; Moses Alutalala Mukhwana; Mary Karen Sorobit; Hassan Noor Hassan; Francis Odhiambo Aduol; and Fahima Araphat Abdallah. Both the chairperson and commissioners will serve six-year terms.

The appointments came after the National Assembly approved the nominees following a vetting process.

The team was nominated by Ruto on May 8.