KAKAMEGA– Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has warned that court petitions challenging the reconstitution of the electoral commission could stall vital election preparations and potentially threaten the country’s 2027 General Election timeline.
Speaking at a funeral in Malava, Kakamega County, Mudavadi expressed concern over the legal tussles surrounding President William Ruto’s recent nominations to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
“The country cannot afford delays in setting up the IEBC,” he told mourners at the burial of Mzee William Lumati. “People who are going to court may think they’re playing politics, but they are endangering democracy.”
Court Puts Brakes on Vetting
His remarks came just a day after the High Court in Nairobi temporarily blocked Parliament from vetting the President’s seven nominees, including Erastus Ethekon, his pick for Commission chair. The ruling followed a petition filed by two citizens, who questioned the legality of the selection process.
The court is expected to deliver its final decision on the matter on 29 May.
The IEBC, which has remained unfilled for over two years, is responsible for managing elections, reviewing constituency boundaries, and overseeing political party compliance. Its vacancy has already delayed several by-elections, raising concerns about the country’s electoral readiness.
Growing Tensions Over Electoral Reforms
Mudavadi, a seasoned politician and one of President Ruto’s closest allies, said the prolonged absence of a functioning electoral body threatens more than just logistics.
“It’s not just about by-elections,” he said. “It’s about preparing the entire electoral infrastructure for the future. If this drags on, we’ll all pay the price regardless of which side of politics we’re on.”
While the Prime Cabinet Secretary did not name the petitioners, his comments reflected growing frustration within government circles over the repeated legal and political obstacles to finalising the IEBC lineup.
Legal and Civic Concerns
Civil society groups and opposition leaders, however, have insisted the process must remain transparent and legally sound. Critics argue that rushing appointments without resolving constitutional concerns could damage public trust in the commission ahead of the 2027 polls.
The petitioners claim the selection process failed to meet constitutional standards and allege political interference. In response, government officials have maintained that the process followed the required procedures and was open to scrutiny.
The stalemate now sets the stage for another high-stakes decision by the judiciary, which has increasingly found itself at the centre of Kenya’s political contests.
For now, the fate of the IEBC and the timelines for both by-elections and broader electoral reforms hangs in the balance.
