A section of opposition leaders has called on President William Ruto to expedite the formation of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) following the court’s greenlight last week.
Speaking Sunday in Nairobi, leaders led by Wiper Party chief Kalonzo Musyoka urged the president to move swiftly, now that the courts have cleared the way for the constitution of the selection panel.
“There is no longer any impediment,” Mr Musyoka said, referencing a recent court ruling that upheld the legality of the IEBC Commissioners Selection Panel.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Dola Chepkwony of the Kiambu High Court, who dismissed a petition by Mr Bonface Njogu.
The petitioner had argued that the selection process for the panel excluded persons with disabilities, but the judge found no evidence to support the claim.
Justice Chepkwony also dismissed a separate petition challenging Azimio’s nomination process for the panel, stating that the claim of a lack of competitive and open recruitment was unsubstantiated.
With the court ruling in favor of the process, President Ruto now has the green light to formally appoint the IEBC Selection Panel.
The nominees to the panel include Dr Nelson Makanda, Fatuma Saman, Ambassador Koki Muli, Evans Misati, Nicodemus Bore Kipchirchir, Andrew Tanui Kipkoech, Caroline Kituku, Prof Adams Oloo, and Linda Koome.
However, the appointment of Prof Adams Oloo has sparked controversy. Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru questioned Prof Oloo’s dual roles, claiming he cannot constitutionally serve as both an advisor to President Ruto and a representative of the Azimio coalition in the panel.
Mr Musyoka weighed in on the matter, advising Prof Oloo to step down as the president’s advisor to avoid creating a potential conflict of interest.
“…Raising such issues could give the president further reasons to delay the IEBC’s formation,” he cautioned.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna echoed these concerns, adding that Prof Oloo was previously a member of the ODM Party before President Ruto co-opted ODM members into his broad-based government.
The process of appointing IEBC commissioners has long been a contentious and politically charged issue in Kenya, marred by deep divisions and multiple legal challenges. Opposition leaders emphasized the urgency of having a fully constituted electoral body.
“The country can no longer afford to move forward without a credible IEBC,” Mr Musyoka reiterated.
Under the Political Parties Liaison Committee (PPLC) framework, the IEBC panel is supposed to comprise representatives from the majority coalition, the minority coalition, and non-parliamentary parties. Leaders hope this process will finally provide the transparency and legitimacy the commission requires.
Separately, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua called for speedy establishment of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
"The IEBC should be in place. The Kriegler Commission recommended that the IEBC be fully constituted three years to the election. Actually, registration of voters should be a continuous process so that all Kenyans have an opportunity to participate in the elections,” he said.
Mr Gachagua said he would continue to consolidate the Mt Kenya region ahead of a major political announcement this month.
He hit out at President Ruto saying the electorate in the region has since cut ties with the current administration.
“The president messed by betraying Kenyans who put him in office. He deceived the mountain and we cannot help him from the problems of his own creation. There is concerted effort to divide the mountain but we are wise and will not allow them. If we are divided, we will be oppressed,” Mr Gachagua said.
The former DP was accompanied by Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thangwa, Joe Nyutu (Murang’a), Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia, John Kaguchia (Mukurweini) and Benjamin Gathiru (Embakasi Central).
Mr Nyutu said Gachagua’s allies will continue calling out the President Ruto administration for various ills and lack of development programmes.
