The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has dismissed as fake a press release circulating online suggesting that Parliament was on the verge of dissolution following a supposed Supreme Court process.
In a statement on Wednesday, the commission urged the public to treat the notice as fake news and avoid spreading misinformation. The memo had alleged that if Chief Justice Martha Koome gave President William Ruto the green light to dissolve Parliament, IEBC would conduct fresh elections for all Parliamentary seats.
Chief Justice Martha Koome speaks during a past media in a past function. Photo: Martha Koome Source: Facebook.
The development comes amid growing tension between the Executive and the Legislature. President Ruto has in recent days accused Members of Parliament of soliciting and receiving bribes to influence legislation.
Speaking during a Kenya Kwanza–ODM joint parliamentary meeting earlier this week, the Head of State singled out committee sessions as the most compromised.
“They are collecting money in the name of Parliament, and sometimes it never reaches Parliament. Instead, it ends up in individual pockets. We are going to apprehend them,” Ruto stated.
The President further alleged that senators had received up to Ksh150 million to sway proceedings and that some lawmakers pocketed Ksh10 million to push through the Anti-Money Laundering Bill. His remarks sparked outrage in the House, with the Senate Public Accounts Committee demanding that he present evidence.
Members of the National Assembly during a past debate. Photo: Parliament of Kenya Source: Facebook.
On Tuesday, Ruto announced the formation of the Multi-Agency Team on War Against Graft (MAT) to intensify the anti-corruption drive. The unit was to draw representatives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the National Intelligence Service, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
However, a day later, the High Court suspended MAT after Nakuru surgeon Magare Gikenyi and three others challenged its legality, arguing that the President had overstepped his constitutional mandate.
While the fake press release hinted at Parliament’s dissolution, IEBC emphasized that any such action would follow the law and proper constitutional processes.