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NCCK calls for rapid reconstitution of IEBC to allow for recalling of MPs

Religious leaders drawn from the National Council of Churches of Kenya and the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops during a past press briefing. (Photo: NCCK)

By Maureen Kinyanjui | Friday, June 28, 2024

The IEBC currently has no commissioners, a situation that has paralysed key operations and decisions including by-elections.

The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has called for the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Through Chris Kinyanjui, the Secretary-General, NCCK noted the delays in reconstituting the IEBC, viewing it as a significant obstacle to recalling underperforming parliamentarians.

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"It is the right of the voters to recall their MPs and without IEBC, it won't be possible. That is why I am calling all the stakeholders including the young people to push for the reconstitution of the IEBC as soon as yesterday," he said on Thursday.

The subject of recalling MPs was revived after 204 MPs on Tuesday, voted yes to the Finance Bill that Kenyans were protesting against.

The Constitution and the Elections Act serve as the foundation for the recall mechanism for Members of Parliament.

The law states that an MP can be recalled for four reasons: a gross violation of the Constitution or any other law, committing an offence under the Elections Act, misconduct likely to bring discredit to the office, and mismanagement of public funds.

The IEBC currently has no commissioners, a situation that has paralysed key operations and decisions including by-elections.

Emphasising the importance of the reconstitution of IEBC, NCCK noted that sub-counties and wards are yet to hold by-elections and are suffering injustice.

"To secure the electoral future of our nation, we urge His Excellency President William Ruto and concerned stakeholders to hear the cry of the people of Kenya and facilitate the completion of the process to appoint the IEBC commissioners," Kinyanjui added.

At the same time, NCCK pointed out that churches have been infiltrated by politicians who distribute money and deliver speeches from the altars.

"As NCCK we have come up with guidelines for ministering to politicians when they come to church. For example, we don't want them to be allowed to speak inside the church and we don't want them to come and dish out money," Kinyanjui added.

Concerning the anti-Finance Bill protests, the NCCK criticised the police for teargassing nonviolent demonstrators and urged law enforcement to uphold Article 37 of the Kenyan Constitution.

The council also called on all branches of government and the police to fulfill their responsibilities to avoid further overreach.

In addition, the council announced that they will be organising with their member churches to mark 7 days of mourning to remember and honour the young heroes who have died as they exercised their right to participate in the governance of the nation.

"The days of mourning will commence Friday, June 28 and culminate in memorial services in the churches on Sunday, July 7, 2024," Kinyanjui said.

The Police Reforms Working Group (PRWG) reported that at least 53 people had died in Nairobi alone from Tuesday's anti-finance bill protests.

They detailed that 23 of these deaths occurred during the day and another 30 at night in the Githurai area.

The PRWG also noted that 53 people were arrested and over 17 were abducted in Nairobi.

"In Githurai alone, police shot and killed at least 30 innocent people at night. At least 100 more are nursing gunshot wounds," the PRWG stated.