Politics

Wandayi pleads with Parliament over lack of representation in Banissa Constituency

National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi speaks during a public consultative forum organised by County Governance Watch at Ufungamano House in Nairobi on Thursday. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

By Barack Oduor | Thursday, May 30, 2024

He wants parliament to now place its focus on the reconstitution of the IEBC as outlined in the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) Report.

National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi termed the inability of Banissa Constituency residents to have a by-election a year after the demise of their MP as unacceptable.

Wandayi said that the leadership of the country should take cognisant of the situation at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and move quickly to resolve it and have Banissa get representation in Parliament.

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"I thought that those in power would be moved by the situation in Banissa and solve the problem at the IEBC as soon as possible," said Wandayi.

Speaking at a public forum also attended by other political leaders including Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka at Ufungamano House, Wandayi reiterated that residents of Banissa have a right to be represented in Parliament like any other constituency.

He wants parliament to now place its focus on the reconstitution of the IEBC as outlined in the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) Report.

In his explanation, the report also carries out other very important matters of national importance such as the delimitation of boundaries which is a constitutional requirement.

Wandayi's plea over the situation of Banissa comes at a time when leaders from the northern frontier have been piling pressure on the electoral agency and President William Ruto to help solve the impasse.

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris and Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka at a public consultative forum organised by County Governance Watch at Ufungamano House in Nairobi on Thursday. (Photos: Justine Ondieki)

Banissa MP passed away in March 2023 following a road accident in Nairobi. He was a second-term lawmaker at the time of his demise.

Residents of Banissa located in Mandera County have been expressing concern over the lack of representation in the National Assembly for a year, also urging the National Assembly to intervene on the issue.

The constituency is yet to find a representative in the August House as the IEBC lacks commissioners.

Since the retirement of the Wafula Chebukati-led commissioners, there has been a standoff in the recruitment of new officials, as parliament is yet to give a way forward on how the new team will be appointed.

Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif has also been echoing the concerns of the residents, highlighting their struggles and unmet needs.

"Due to the lack of IEBC commissioners, this constituency has no representation. It is very unfair, Banissa is a worried community because there are programs to be implemented by CDF, and unfortunately, we have no MP for 12 months,” he said.

He appeals to the government to expedite the constitution of the IEBC to ensure that the people of Banissa are adequately represented.

He urged National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula to expedite the proposal by Mandera North Member of Parliament that allows a by-election to be done without IEBC commissioners being in place.