Archbishop Sapit Joins Opposition in Criticizing Ruto Over IEBC Delay
The Anglican Church of Kenya Archbishop, Jackson Ole Sapit, has joined the opposition in raising concerns about the ongoing delay in reorganizing the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), an issue that has persisted for over two years.
Speaking on Sunday after a church service, Archbishop Sapit cautioned that the delay could jeopardize the preparation for the next General Election. He emphasized the need for a fully equipped IEBC to ensure the election process is seamless.
“We will need an IEBC that is completely prepared to handle the elections in good time for procurement purposes and make sure that we run an election by a team that has been trained well enough and in good time to be able to manage that process,” the archbishop stated.
He highlighted the importance of registering new voters, particularly the youth, so they can participate in the 2027 elections. “IEBC needs time to clean up the register. They need time to ensure unregistered Kenyans, especially among the youth, are registered,” he explained, stressing the urgency of appointing commissioners to the electoral body.
The archbishop further described the current situation at IEBC as a violation of voters’ rights and called for quick action. “Having an absence of IEBC is a violation of the rights of Kenyans. Let us put the best interest of the country before our own, and when we do that, Kenya will be a good place for all of us,” he appealed.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders, including Kalonzo Musyoka, accused President William Ruto of intentionally delaying the reconstitution of the IEBC. Kalonzo denied allegations that his side caused the delay through a court case, asserting that the delays were orchestrated by the government.
On the other hand, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki defended the government, explaining that the IEBC’s current state is due to a court injunction that stopped its reorganization. He urged the parties involved to settle the matter outside the courts to allow progress.
“I have seen some people blaming the government. This is a country governed by law. When there is an injunction, the government is not able to do anything,” the DP explained.
The government has faced increasing pressure to address the situation. In August, Augustus Kyalo Muli was selected by the Political Parties Liaison Committee as the Azimio representative in the IEBC selection panel, sparking disagreements within the Azimio coalition, which preferred Wiper’s Koki Muli instead.
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Archbishop Sapit Joins Opposition in Criticizing Ruto Over IEBC Delay
