Eyes On National Assembly As lawmakers Gears Up In Examining IEBC Amendment Bill 2024.
Joint committees of the National Assembly and Senate are gearing up to scrutinize the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Amendment Bill 2024. This critical bill emerged from bipartisan discussions between the ruling Kenya Kwanza Alliance and the opposition Azimio la Umoja.
Starting tomorrow, the National Assembly Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs (JLAC) and the Senate Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs, and Human Rights will lay the groundwork for a thorough examination of the bill, which will include public participation.
Tharaka MP John Murugara, who chairs JLAC, announced that they would engage with various stakeholders this Thursday to gather their insights before drafting the final report. Those expected to give their input include key figures in the electoral system such as the IEBC, Attorney General, Registrar of Political Parties, and representatives from civil society.
This meeting marks the third attempt by the joint committee to convene after a previous session was derailed by a lack of quorum, leaving MPs to proceed without their Senate colleagues.
In addition to the IEBC Bill, the JLAC National Assembly will deliberate on four other pieces of legislation, including amendments to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Leader of Opposition Bill, and the National Government Coordination Bill. The Senate, on its part, will introduce amendments to the Elections Offences Bill, Elections Bill, Statutory Instruments Bill, and Political Parties Bill.
The committees have a 45-day window, starting from March 6, to address these bills. The IEBC Bill, jointly sponsored by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa and Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, also proposes post-election audits, establishes quorum requirements for the commission, sets term limits for the Secretary to the commission, and seeks to broaden the qualifications required of a commissioner.