By Edward Lyomu | Mulembe Times | July 19, 2025
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has confirmed it has received four formal requests to recall Members of Parliament from office, marking a potentially unprecedented wave of public accountability efforts.
IEBC Chairman Erastus Ethekon made the announcement while addressing journalists in Mombasa on Friday. He stated that the commission is currently assessing the merits of each request and will act in accordance with the law and constitutional provisions.
“We have received four requests for the recall of sitting Members of Parliament. The commission will determine the next steps based on the gravity and substantiation of the matters raised,” said Ethekon.
Citing the complexity and legal sensitivity of the process, Ethekon revealed that the IEBC has moved to the Supreme Court to seek advisory opinion on how best to proceed with the recall requests. The move is aimed at ensuring the commission follows due process and upholds the constitutional framework governing electoral matters.
“The commission has moved to the Supreme Court seeking legal direction on the way forward,” Ethekon noted.
The recall of an MP in Kenya is a legally binding process anchored in Article 104 of the Constitution, which allows voters to initiate the removal of an elected representative under specific conditions — including violation of the law, gross misconduct, or failure to perform functions of the office. However, the process is seldom used due to legal, logistical, and political hurdles.
In addition to dealing with the recall petitions, Ethekon announced that the commission is laying the groundwork for comprehensive reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections. Among the key priorities are enhanced voter registration, review of electoral boundaries, legal amendments to the Elections Act, and strengthening of the electoral framework to improve transparency and credibility.
“The IEBC is undertaking preparations to reform critical areas of our electoral system. These include voter registration expansion, a long-overdue boundary review, and legal reforms that will support freer and fairer elections,” he said.
He further disclosed that the commission is preparing to conduct several by-elections in areas where seats have fallen vacant. However, he attributed the delay in initiating boundary reviews and some electoral activities to the previous lack of quorum within the commission.
“Preparations are underway for by-elections in affected constituencies. The delay in the boundary review and other reforms was largely due to the absence of commissioners, but we are now in a position to resume this critical work,” added the chairman.
Ethekon’s remarks come at a time when public scrutiny of elected leaders is intensifying, and citizen-led calls for accountability are gaining traction — particularly in light of growing dissatisfaction with governance and service delivery in many constituencies.
As the IEBC awaits guidance from the Supreme Court, Kenyans will be watching closely to see whether the rare move to recall MPs gains any real traction, and how the electoral body balances political sensitivity with its constitutional mandate.
