Just hours after the appointment of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel, Chief Justice Martha Koome issued a strong statement to the government concerning the commission's operations.
Speaking during the swearing-in of the nine panellists, who were appointed on Monday morning, Koome urged key stakeholders and the government to allow the IEBC to operate independently without political interference.
''Strong institutions are the bedrock of our democracy. The IEBC, like all constitutional commissions, must be allowed to function independently, free from political or external interference,'' Koome asserted.
According to Koome, for the nation to move forward, institutions like IEBC must be allowed to serve without favouring certain personal interests that have crippled their functioning in the past.
''As a nation, we must remain committed to ensuring that our institutions serve the people, not personal interests. Let us not lose sight of the weight of this moment,'' she added.
''Today, I urge all institutions and stakeholders involved in this process—Parliament, political actors, civil society, and the public—to ensure that the recruitment of new IEBC Commissioners is conducted with speed, integrity, and transparency. The Kenyan people expect and deserve nothing less.''
The Chief Justice, who has faced scrutiny amid what some lawyers and state operatives describe as a 'political and judicial witch hunt,' further urged the selection panel to nominate individuals capable of upholding the integrity and legitimacy of elections in Kenya.
''The work you embark on today is not just about filling positions—it is about securing the legitimacy of our elections, the stability of our governance, and the future of our democracy,'' Koome stated.
In what could be seen as a veiled response to the government following a recent incident involving her security detail, the Chief Justice urged the government not to weaponize Kenyans' right to seek legal redress.
''While every Kenyan has the right to seek legal redress on matters of 4 constitutional significance, this right must not be weaponised to stall governance or advance narrow political interests at the expense of the public good,'' she added.
The appointment of the nine was made via a Special Gazette Notice published on Monday after nearly a 3-year delay that caused political upheaval. The appointment process was delayed by numerous court cases and political disputes.
In a gazette notice, President Ruto appointed Kiome Lindah Gakii, Communications expert Oloo Adams, James Evans Misati, Nicodemus Kipchirchir Bore, Ambassador Koki Muli, Grignon Carolene Kituku, Tanui Andrew Kipkoech, Nelson Makanda and Fatuma Saman to be members of the panel.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 7A of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, as read with paragraph 1 (2) of the First Schedule to the Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint (the 9-member team) to be Members of the Selection Panel for the Recruitment of nominees for appointment as the Chairperson and Members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission," read the notice in part.
