Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has yet again called out President William Ruto over the forwarded names of the proposed Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman and commissioners.
Speaking on Saturday, May 10, Kalonzo warned that the independence of the IEBC is under threat, accusing Ruto of attempting to interfere with the commission's independence.
"William Ruto has selected names that have been submitted to Parliament for approval as the new IEBC commissioners. You can’t be a player and also choose your own referee.
"I wrote letters to both President Ruto and Raila Odinga, but neither has responded. But we are ready, even if Ruto himself pretends to be the IEBC chairman, Ruto must go,” said Kalonzo.
On Thursday, May 8, Ruto nominated Erastus Edung Ethekon as the IEBC chairperson, and six individuals to serve as members of the commission, including Ann Njeri Nderitu and Moses Alutalala Mukhwana.
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Others are Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah.
In a statement on Thursday, May 8, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei said the nomination follows recommendations made by the IEBC Selection Panel tasked.
"This presidential action follows the recommendations of the Selection Panel on the recruitment of nominees for the positions of chairperson and members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, as transmitted on Tuesday, 6 May 2025," the statement read.
Two days earlier, on Tuesday, May 6, Kalonzo had raised concerns about the process of appointing new members to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
In a letter addressed to Ruto, he referenced the recommendations of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO), highlighting the need for political consensus in the appointment of IEBC commissioners.
The NADCO report, which was adopted by both Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, emphasized bipartisan agreement in rebuilding public trust in the electoral body.
Kalonzo cautioned Ruto against proceeding with appointments based solely on the input of Kenya Kwanza and ODM, warning that such a move could compromise the legitimacy of the electoral body.
“Your Excellency, you will, I have no doubt, acknowledge the importance of this exercise and its centrality in building public confidence in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
"Indeed, any exercise without the opposition in particular, that will be limited to Kenya Kwanza Alliance alone or Kenya Kwanza and the party leader of ODM, will be an attempt to establish a partisan IEBC, setting the stage for usurpation of the sovereign will of the people of Kenya exercised at the ballot during the general elections. This will not be acceptable,” he concluded.
