Cord leader Raila Odinga has okayed recommendations by the IEBC Joint Select Committee on electoral reforms and said he wouldn’t want the president to have a role in the selection of IEBC commissioners.
The report calls for the reconstitution of new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commissioners (IEBC) by September 30 to ensure the appointment of seven new commissioners in time for the 2017 General Election.
“I wouldn’t want the President to have a role in the selection of IEBC commissioners. But I hope he will find it necessary to consult me,” said Odinga.
Raila called on President Kenyatta to whip his Jubilee Coalition MPs who enjoy majority representation in both Houses to support the adoption and implementation of the recommendations.
“It was give-and-take. We have conceded many issues we were insisting on for the sake of this country. All Cord members will support the report and the draft bills,” he said.
The send-off packages for the commissioners will be agreed upon after the committee’s report has been presented and adopted by the National Assembly and Senate.
This comes after Committee Co-chairs James Orengo and Kiraitu Murungi conceded that the change of electoral commissioners would ensure legal, policy and institutional reforms to strengthen the electoral body.
The Joint Select Committee had 30 days within which it was expected to report its findings and recommendations to Parliament.