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Kalonzo wrong on ‘interference’ in hiring of new polls team, says ODM

ODM

Orange Democratic Movement party leader Raila Odinga (centre) with party officials address journalists in Nairobi on April 2, 2025

Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group

By  Ndubi Moturi

ODM leaders have faulted Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka over his claims that Raila Odinga and President Ruto are interfering with the ongoing process of reconstituting the electoral body.

Mr Kalonzo, People’s Liberation Party chief Martha Karua and DAP-Kenya’s Eugene Wamalwa on Tuesday alleged a plot by the Kenya Kwanza administration and Mr Odinga’s ODM to control the recruitment of new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners.

The leaders also demanded that the principle of consultation and concurrence be implemented before the final appointment of commissioners between Mr Ruto and Mr Odinga on one side, and the Opposition on the other, “which reflects the country’s current political reality.

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But ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna on Wednesday said ODM party was still part of the opposition and they have confidence in the panel constituted and the progress made so far with the interviews.

Read: Promises, pressure, and past shadows: Day two of IEBC chair interviews

“He (Mr Musyoka) is a counsel. On what basis does he say that we are in government? We are a distinct party and we do our things the way we do. We do not want to be forced somewhere. This process is being conducted in full accordance with the Nadco (National Dialogue Committee) report. It is common knowledge that Nadco was chaired by Mr Musyoka,” Mr Sifuna said.

Formed in 2023, Nadco aimed to facilitate bipartisan dialogue and consensus building, recommend appropriate constitutional, legal and policy reforms on issues of concern to the people of Kenya focused on five key areas.

Constitutional matters

The five areas were outstanding constitutional matters, electoral justice and related matters, entrenching funds into the Constitution, establishment and entrenchment of State offices and fidelity to political parties/coalitions and the law of multiparty democracy.

ODM also claimed that one of the members of the selection panel is Mr Musyoka’s adviser.

“Kenyans are fully aware that the inordinate delay in commencing this exercise was due to the failure to resolve the nomination of the Wiper representative to the Selection Panel. Following the support of ODM… Wiper got its rightful slot, and as we speak, Wiper’s Nominee to the Panel, Koki Muli has been part of the process from shortlisting to the ongoing candidate interviews,” Mr Sifuna added.

Mr Sifuna has also accused Mr Musyoka’s team of deliberately interfering with the selection panel.

Read: Parliament extends tenure of IEBC selection panel

“The law grants the selection panel the authority to determine its own procedures granting it operational autonomy in executing its mandate. The panel should be allowed to independently execute its mandate without interference. We view the accusation by a section of Azimio leaders as an attempt to pre-emptively discredit the panel and the outcome of the entire process,” he added.

 The party officials were speaking following a high-level meeting of the Central Management Committee chaired by Mr Raila Odinga in Nairobi.

During the meeting, the party announced a repeat of the grassroot elections in five counties.

jmoturi@ke.nationmedia.com