Opposition demands inclusion in the reconstitution of IEBC
They said that before any appointments are made to the IEBC, there must be consultation and concurrence on the final list of commissioners
Opposition leaders have maintained that President William Ruto needs to engage in consultations before appointing the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson and commissioners.
According to the leaders, who included Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, former Defence Principal Secretary Torome Saitoti, DAP-Kenya Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa, and former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi, the process of getting a new chairperson and commissioners needs to be inclusive to gain public confidence in the coming elections.
“We reiterate our demand that before any appointments are made to the IEBC, there must be consultation and concurrence on the final list of commissioners. The so-called broad-based government cannot purport to consult only among themselves—they must consult with the opposition,” they demanded.
According to the leaders, if they are bypassed, the credibility of the IEBC would be at stake and this risks eroding public trust in the electoral process.
“Failure to establish a commission that commands the trust of Kenyans and all concerned parties may set the stage for rigged elections in 2027, which Kenyans will not accept. We will not stand idly by as Kenya is dragged into darkness. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to defending the Constitution, protecting the rights of every Kenyan, and resisting tyranny in all its forms,” they stated.
They also raised concerns over how the IEBC selection panel has conducted the interview for a new chairperson and commissioners, claiming that the process fell short of the standards required for a credible and independent electoral body.
The leaders warned that if appointments proceed without consensus, the opposition will contest both the legitimacy of the commission and the next general election.
“Even at this late hour, the selection panel can redeem itself by issuing a comprehensive exit report and nominating credible Kenyans as chairperson and commissioners of the IEBC,” they said.
Their concerns come a few days after the IEBC selection panel completed the oral interviews and are meeting this week to make deliberations before submitting two names for the chairperson role and nine for commissioner posts.
The President will then nominate one chairperson and six commissioners, subject to parliamentary approval.
Previously, ODM has criticised Kalonzo for demanding that the opposition needs to be consulted on the reconstitution of IEBC.
