Members of Parliament have raised fresh concerns over the delayed review of constituency and ward boundaries, warning that the country risks heading into the 2027 General Election with outdated electoral data and unconstitutional frameworks.
In a report tabled before the National Assembly, the Public Petitions Committee directed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to prioritise the boundary delimitation exercise, which is already overdue under Article 89(4) of the Constitution.
The law requires a review every 8 to 12 years, but the last one was conducted in 2012. The next was due by March 2024, but has stalled due to leadership and legal setbacks.
Although President William Ruto appointed a new team of commissioners in June 2025, including chairperson Erastus Ethekon, their swearing-in was blocked by the High Court, which is currently hearing a petition challenging the selection process.
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The suit cites inadequate public participation and lack of diversity in the appointments.
The committee’s recommendation was prompted by a petition from the Centre for Accountability, Reform and Democracy (CARD), which criticised the IEBC for missing the constitutional deadline and warned of dire consequences if the review is not conducted soon.
Without the boundary review, petitioners argued, the country risks facing the 2027 elections with imbalanced representation, outdated population data, and legal vulnerabilities that could spark disputes and undermine electoral integrity.
Committee chair Ernest Kagesi said the IEBC’s paralysis has plunged the country into “uncharted territory” and stressed the urgency of resuming the delimitation process.
“This delay is a direct threat to Kenya’s constitutional order and electoral preparedness,” Kagesi said.
While Parliament amended the IEBC Act in July 2024 to provide a clear roadmap for boundary reviews, including a requirement for the commission to submit a Boundaries Review Operations Plan within three months of taking office, MPs expressed frustration that the plan remains unpublished.
IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein warned that failure to carry out the review would render the 2027 General Election unconstitutional, pointing to population growth that has left some constituencies too large for their current boundaries, leading to inequity in representation.
The Attorney General, in a formal advisory to Parliament, supported these concerns, cautioning that inaction could erode public trust, trigger legal challenges, and fuel political unrest.
