Tharaka Member of Parliament (MP) George Murugara has challenged the nominees for the position of chairperson and members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to brace up for the task awaiting them at the helm of the electoral body.
Speaking while moving a motion on the findings of the JLAC committee on vetting of nominees for appointment as chairperson and members of the IEBC on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, the committee chair reminded the commissioner of their mandate of delivering credible elections.
The legislator, in a passionate plea, urged them to take up their responsibilities with the utmost care, saying that the spotlight will be squarely on them as they assume the hot seats of the IEBC.
“We will approve your nominations this afternoon. But Kenyans are watching, and they are saying if you do not have the spine to conduct elections, start growing one now. Because we must have a fair, just, credible, and verifiable election that every Kenyan is going to be satisfied with,” he told the nominees.
The MP also addressed the concern of credibility from Kenyans, imploring the nation to put trust in the country’s independent bodies and institutions.
“To the country, we have our laws and institutions that we must have faith in. We know we have trust issues with the IEBC, and it’s time these seven grew the trust so that Kenyans can have faith in the institution,” he emphasised.
The approved nominees are Erastus Edung as the chairperson: Ann Nderitu, Moses Mukhwana, Mary Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Aduol, and Fahima Abdallah as commissioners.
Muragara’s remarks come after House Majority Leader Kimani Ichungw’ah urged the house to expedite the process of approving the nominees and get them started on the roles.
Ichungw’ah observed that the commissioners needed to get down to work to enable them meet deadlines ahead of the 2027 polls.
“We need this commission as soon as we can to get them down to work. In two years time we will have a general election, and we must work within the timeline given to ensure the commission is in place and has adequate resources to ensure that our 2027 elections will be beyond reproach,” he opined.
