Civil Society Organizations, under the Uchaguzi Platform, have called for the urgent reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission as well as the repealing of the Finance Act 2023.
They said the political situation in the country has necessitated their call to have the issues prioritised.
“We are aware that an IEBC selection panel was constituted and is operational. Questions have been raised on the IEBC in terms of its composition and the overall role it plays in managing and delivering credible elections in Kenya,” they said in a statement on Sunday.
The Uchaguzi platform brings together, six civil society organisations. They include Elections Observations Group, Centre for Multiparty Democracy Kenya, Transparency International Kenya, Mzalendo, Electoral Law and Governance Institute for Africa and Constitution and Reform Education Consortium.
The group said that meaningful engagements should be expedited and consensus arrived to move the process of reconstituting the body.
“While we do not wish that this process be rushed, it is important to indicate that critical decisions and processes are pending and wait for the full constitution of the IEBC,” they said.
The Civil Societies further said that in May, they presented their proposals on how the government could shift from overtaxing Kenyans.
In June, the say, the National Assembly passed the Finance Bill which President William Ruto also assented into law.
“The National Assembly passed and the president assented to the Finance Act 2023, imposing onerous tax burdens on Kenyans amidst the rising cost of living,” they said.
They noted that the bill will increase the cost of different basic commodities.
The organizations also addressed the need for respect for human rights raising concerns over incidences depicted during the protests.
They however noted that though the right to protest is allowed, it is to be exercised in a peaceful manner.
“We are appalled by the alarming incidences witnessed recently where peaceful protesters were unlawfully arrested. We acknowledge that whereas protesting is allowed by the law, it should be exercised in a more peaceful manner,” they noted.
The Uchaguzi Platform allow wants a National inclusive dialogue and revival of multi-sectoral talks.
” We call for an immediate revival of the bi-partisan talks and emphasize the importance of making it a multi-sectoral representation. It gave Kenyans hope for issues affecting them to be addressed,” they said.
