Kenyans in Diaspora Send Warning to Ruto on Gachagua, IEBC, and Term Limits
Kenyans living abroad, under the Diasporians Against Corruption in Kenya (DACK), have issued a stern warning to President William Ruto’s administration, raising concerns over the recent ouster of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the ongoing delay in reconstituting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), and proposed changes to term limits.
They have vowed to engage development partners and the international community to address what they describe as a threat to Kenya’s democratic progress.
DACK chairperson, Ben Ateku, strongly criticized the ouster of Mr. Gachagua, labeling it as a politically motivated move by the Kenya Kwanza government to consolidate power. “The removal of the Deputy President is not only an affront to the person holding the office but also a clear sign of intolerance to dissenting views within the ruling party,” Ateku remarked.
The diaspora group questioned why the country has yet to form a new IEBC, noting that the electoral body has been non-functional since January, following the expiration of the terms of former chairperson Wafula Chebukati and two other commissioners.
Despite President Ruto signing the IEBC (Amendment) Bill 2024 into law and pledging to expedite the reconstitution process, a court ruling in September blocked the appointment of a selection panel, further delaying the formation of the commission.
Steve Mbugua, DACK’s Communications Director, voiced concern over the extended delay, especially as Kenyans have started calling for the recall of MPs who supported the Deputy President’s impeachment and the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
“The lack of a new elections commission months after many Kenyans showed intention of recalling their leaders is a red flag that should concern every Kenyan,” Mbugua noted, adding that the delay raises doubts about the fairness of future elections.
The diaspora group also condemned the proposed extension of the presidential and MPs’ term limits to seven years, calling it “a blatant attempt to entrench power and derail democratic progress.” In their press statement, they warned that such a move would “further erode democratic institutions” and set a dangerous precedent for Kenya’s future.
With just days before the October 25 deadline for memoranda submission on the Constitutional Amendment Bill, the diaspora community urged Kenyans both at home and abroad to remain vigilant in defending the country’s democracy.
They called for consensus on these contentious issues, cautioning that failure to address them could lead to heightened political instability.
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Kenyans in Diaspora Send Warning to Ruto on Gachagua, IEBC, and Term Limits
