Justice Lenaola Goes Bare Knuckle Against Gov’t Over IEBC, 2027 Polls
Supreme Court Judge Isaac Lenaola has expressed worries about the Judiciary’s e-filing system ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The judge’s questioning were based on the glitch that occurred during the impeachment proceedings of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
While presenting at the Regional Conference on the Use of AI, Digital, and Social Media during Elections in Kenya, Lenaola questioned the timing of the system failure, which occurred amid a period of high political tension.
Lenaola further stated that this might occur during the 2027 General Elections, raising concerns about the impact on the Judiciary’s integrity and, as a result, the country’s political stability.
Supreme Court Justice Isaac Lenaola speaks on the lack of planning for the 2027 elections. pic.twitter.com/ARNMC902k6
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Lenaola’s remarks came in the aftermath of a spike in election petitions, which often follow polling results. For example, the Supreme Court heard eight petitions contesting the 2022 presidential election.
The petitions bring additional attention to the judiciary, whose decisions can have a substantial impact on the country’s political stability.
Following the Supreme Court’s decisions in the 2017 and 2022 elections, the country witnessed major political rallies.
Lenaola appeared to suggest that history will repeat itself if the faults occurred again in the future elections.
At the same time, the judge expressed concern over Kenya’s election preparations, including the constitution of commissioners for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Lenaola criticized the country’s lack of readiness for 2027, citing the ease with which other politically motivated laws were passed.
He claimed that Kenya was underperforming in streamlining subjects of national importance.
“I do not understand why, for example, we are busy passing legislation very quickly on other subjects that are politically important, but we do not look at what is extremely important for this country—the electoral commission.
How can a country stand on its feet if it does not have an electoral commission? Elections are in 2027. We are in 2024. When will this commission be prepared?” Lenaola quipped at members attending the conference.
He advocated using social media to increase efforts to implement the IEBC commissioners’ constitution.
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Lenaola stated that this could help to accelerate legislation toward the commission’s formation.
“Why don’t we use social media to impact legislation? For instance, why don’t we have a hashtag, #AppointIEBCNow, and spread it? Those who have fortuity will actually follow it and do something,” he asserted.
He went on to criticise the reasons for the delay in forming the commission.
“Why is the IEBC not being constituted? Because Azimio cannot appoint their representative to the panel. Is that something to hold a country hostage for two years?” he posed.
Justice Lenaola Goes Bare Knuckle Against Gov’t Over IEBC, 2027 Polls
