Justin Muturi: Pass Muturi Elections Amendment Bill 2024 Kenya Before IEBC Tenders

• Justin Muturi urged Parliament to urgently table the Elections Amendment Bill, 2024, before the IEBC, which is currently without commissioners, signs its technology tender contract.
• The Bill's recommendations, stemming from the NADCO process, aim to strengthen safeguards for the 2027 General Election.
• Muturi questioned the 17-month delay of NADCO recommendations in Parliament, noting that while some NADCO-related bills have recently progressed, others have languished.
• He called for a robust legal framework to be in place before major technology and vendor commitments are made for the 2027 elections.
• Muturi challenged President William Ruto to demonstrate commitment to a transparent electoral process by assenting to the Bill if passed.

He firmly believes that the Elections Amendment Bill 2024 parliamentary debate must precede the awarding of the IEBC technology tender 2027 safeguards, ensuring that necessary legal protections are in place before major technological and vendor decisions are finalized for the 2027 elections.

Former National Assembly Speaker and Democratic Party of Kenya (DPK) leader, Justin Muturi, has issued a strong call for the swift parliamentary consideration of the **Muturi Elections Amendment Bill 2024 Kenya**. In a statement released on Wednesday, August 26, Muturi urged lawmakers to table the proposed legislation without further delay, specifically advocating for its passage *before* the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which is currently without commissioners, finalizes and signs any tender contracts for its election technology. He underscored that the Bill's provisions are designed to introduce critical new safeguards for the integrity of the upcoming **2027 General Election**.

Muturi's intervention highlights a significant concern regarding the pace of **Kenya electoral reforms**. He openly questioned the prolonged inaction surrounding recommendations that emerged from the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) process, noting that while some NADCO-related bills have recently progressed through Parliament, others have languished for an astonishing 17 months without being fully debated or enacted. This delay, he argued, undermines the very foundation of electoral transparency and accountability.

The former Speaker emphasized the profound significance of the **NADCO recommendations**, explaining that they originated from a bipartisan initiative that garnered extensive public participation. This broad engagement, Muturi contended, imbues the recommendations with a national obligation that Parliament is bound to address. He posed a pointed question, asking how a Bill derived from such a widely supported process could remain stalled in committee for over a year, suggesting that such prolonged inaction transcends ordinary legislative delays and raises serious questions of potential sabotage.

Muturi further challenged Parliament to provide a clear explanation for the delay and called upon multilateral partners, who actively supported Kenya's dialogue and electoral reform processes, to also demand answers. He drew a historical parallel, urging current Members of Parliament to reflect on the lessons learned from the 11th Parliament. During his tenure as Speaker, that legislative body successfully navigated contentious electoral reforms stemming from the bipartisan Orengo-Kiraitu process, demonstrating that complex political issues can be resolved through dialogue, compromise, and legislative action. He asserted that NADCO was founded on a similar spirit of consensus-building, and its recommendations should not be permitted to languish without a transparent explanation to the Kenyan populace. The immediate responsibility, Muturi stressed, now rests with Parliament, urging MPs to request National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to facilitate the urgent consideration of the Bill.

A central tenet of Muturi's argument is the imperative to establish a robust legal framework *before* the IEBC makes substantial commitments regarding election technology. He firmly believes that the **Elections Amendment Bill 2024 parliamentary debate** must precede the awarding of the **IEBC technology tender 2027 safeguards**, ensuring that necessary legal protections are in place before major technological and vendor decisions are finalized for the 2027 elections. This proactive approach aims to prevent future disputes and enhance public confidence in the electoral process.

Muturi also directed a challenge towards President William Ruto, who is expected to seek re-election on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket. He urged the President to unequivocally demonstrate his commitment to a transparent and credible electoral process by assenting to the legislation should Parliament successfully pass it. Muturi articulated a clear demand: the country requires decisive action, not further justifications for delay. He insisted that the Bill must be brought to the floor of the House immediately, while there is still sufficient time to fortify the electoral framework ahead of 2027. This urgent call comes amidst heightened scrutiny of the IEBC's procurement process for a new Integrated Elections Management System, underscoring the critical need for legislative safeguards to accompany the acquisition of election technology.

Lawyers advising political entities or involved in electoral disputes should closely monitor the parliamentary progress of the Elections Amendment Bill 2024, as its provisions could introduce critical new legal safeguards and compliance requirements for the 2027 General Election and IEBC technology procurement.

Source: Original reporting via Kenyan press