President William Ruto earlier this week declared vacancies for the Chairperson and five commissioners at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
This was after IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati’s contract and that of commissioners Abdi Guliye and Boya Mulu expired on January 17.
Speaking after meeting Azimio senators, opposition leader Raila Odinga announced plans to hold prayers for the IEBC as the search for the new team almost kicks off.
The former Prime Minister said that the prayers will be held at the Anniversary towers in the course of next week.
Raila said the main agenda of the national prayers will be to help the country get IEBC officials who will not be swayed by politicians to subvert the will of the majority of Kenyans.
“This week, we shall be in Kisii on Friday, February 17, and go to Kisumu on Saturday, February 18. We will also be doing a prayer,
“A prayer for the IEBC so that we get an IEBC that will defend the rights of our people and that prayer will be done in front of the IEBC premises sometime next week,” Raila Odinga said.
Raila’s announcement to hold a national prayer comes just a day after Kenya’s President William Ruto held an interdenominational prayer for the rains.
In a Gazette Notice dated February 14, 2023, the president declared six out of seven positions open pending the hearing and determination of a case against suspended Commissioner Irene Masit.
“Now therefore, in the exercise of the powers conferred by Section 7A (2) of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, 2011 as read with paragraph 1 (1) 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, declare vacancies in the position- chairperson and five members of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission,” states the notice.
