IEBC needs a chairperson who can handle politics, says Ngwele

Memories of the disputed 2022 presidential election resurfaced as Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson candidate Jacob Ngwele Muvengei defended his ability to handle political pressures before the selection panel.

Ngwele said the IEBC chairperson must navigate political pressures, referencing the commission's divisions on August 15, 2022, during the presidential election results announcement.

"The IEBC is a political institution. It requires a chairman with political management experience to handle competing interests and engage stakeholders," said Ngwele on Tuesday, March 25.

On voter apathy, he acknowledged the declining public trust in the commission and proposed a national dialogue to restore confidence in the electoral process.

"Voter apathy stems from a belief that votes do not count, leading to low turnout and disengagement," noted Ngwele.

"I'll lead the commission to rebuild trust through a national dialogue, especially with the youth."

Ngwele, a former parliamentary legal counsel, said his legal expertise would help draft electoral laws to strengthen party discipline and curb party hopping.

If appointed, he said he would prioritise early preparations for the 2027 elections, including enacting election laws on time, initiating early voter registration, and implementing logistical plans at least two years ahead.

"There is a culture, which even the Supreme Court has noted, where election laws are passed too close to the election. I'll ensure they are enacted early," he noted.

The panel also questioned Ngwele on his controversial exit from City Hall and an Auditor General’s report that flagged Sh211 million in expenditures by the Nairobi County Assembly in 2018.

He denied any wrongdoing, citing court rulings that cleared him.