Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has accused President William Ruto of planning to rig the 2027 general election and upcoming by-elections.
In a statement on Thursday May 8, Kalonzo claimed that President Ruto was partisan in nomination of the new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson and members.
The former Vice President alleged that Ruto did not do consultations on the nominations hence creating a low-trust electoral body.
“We are extremely concerned that Mr. Ruto chose to be partisan by ignoring the Principle of Consultation and Concurrence in his recommendations of the Chairman and Members of IEBC. This action has automatically created a low-trust institution.
“As we had stated in prior correspondence on the subject, it is now evident that the intention is to rig not only the next election but also the upcoming by-elections. A comprehensive statement will be released by The Opposition on Monday, May 12, 2025,” said Kalonzo.
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On May 6, Kalonzo wrote to President Ruto, raising concerns about the process of appointing new members of the IEBC.
Kalonzo referenced the recommendations of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO), highlighting the need for political consensus in the appointment of IEBC commissioners.
“Paragraph 861 of the report provides that in order to build confidence in the IEBC, it was important that the leaders of the two coalitions provide a window of consultations and concurrence, and the recommendation at paragraph 862 is that Kenya Kwanza Alliance and Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, enter into consultation and concurrence before the President exercises the power of appointment of the Chairperson and members of the IEBC," the letter read.
Kalonzo also argued that the political landscape has shifted since the NADCO agreement, with ODM leader Raila Odinga now cooperating with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
He asserted that the opposition is now represented by the Wiper Democratic Movement and the Democratic Action Party (DAP-K).
“Noting that the party leader of the Orange Democratic Movement Raila Amollo Odinga has in writing, formally, and by conduct moved to work with the Kenya Kwanza Administration forming the ODM/Kenya Kwanza Alliance, the opposition is now represented by the Wiper Democratic Movement and the Democratic Action Party (DAP),” the letter added.
On Thursday, President Ruto nominated Erastus Edung Ethekon to be the chairperson of IEBC following recommendations made by the IEBC Selection Panel tasked.
The Head of State also nominated six individuals to serve as members of the commission, including Ann Njeri Nderitu and Moses Alutalala Mukhwana.
Others are Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah.
The names of the nominees will be submitted to the National Assembly for vetting and approval.
The National Assembly has up to 28 days to conduct the vetting process, during which it may approve or reject the nominees.
