The opposition on Tuesday rejected the ongoing process of reconstituting the electoral body, accusing President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga of manipulation.
The leaders also accused Dr Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) under Mr Odinga of engaging in early campaigns.
Led by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, People's Liberation Party chief Martha Karua and DAP-Kenya’s Eugene Wamalwa, they alleged a plot by the Kenya Kwanza administration to control the recruitment of new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners.
The selection process, they said, is being manipulated to ensure that only individuals loyal to Kenya Kwanza secure the crucial positions, ultimately paving the way for electoral fraud in the 2027 General Election
"We are concerned that the Ruto regime is determined to control and direct the recruitment process of the IEBC commissioners with the ultimate objective of capturing the electoral management body."
"This nefarious exercise, we believe, is intended to rig the next General Election to perpetuate the continuation of the Kenya Kwanza regime that has clearly lost the trust and confidence of the people of Kenya," charged Ms Karua.
While addressing Journalists at the Serena Hotel, Ms Karua said that so far, "the shortlisting process has left out Kenyans with credible qualifications and experience based on our assessment of the over 1,400 who applied for the positions."
Members of the IEBC selection panel (Top row, from left) Koki Muli, Kiome Lindah Gakii, James Evans Misati and Nicodemus Kipchirchir Bore. (Bottom row, from left) Nelson Makanda, Oloo Adams and Tanui Andrew Kipkoech.
Photo credit: Nation Media Group
Threatening to seek legal redress in court, the leaders alleged that a number of those who made the list have questionable credentials and clearly demonstrated partisan interests in the UDA party and the ODM party.
"There are serious allegations of integrity and grave inherent conflict of interest. A number of the selected applicants are members of executive structures of UDA and ODM and have, in the last three years, been beneficiaries of skewed public appointments from Mr Ruto and Mr Odinga," the Musyoka-led team dubbed People's Loyal Coalition said.
They spoke after the Nelson Makanda-led selection panel completed interviewing candidates for the chairperson position while the process for other commissioners is still ongoing.
The candidates for chair position were former Judiciary Chief Registrar Anne Amadi, Saul Simiyu Wasilwa, Abdulqadir Lorot Ramadhan, Joy Mdivo, Edward Katama Ngeywa, Erastus Edung Ethekon, Francis Kakai Kissinger, Jacob Ngwele Muvengei, Lilian Wanjiku Manegene, Robert Akumu Asembo, and Charles Nyachae
The interviews for member of IEBC started last week and continue until Friday April 25, 2025.
Ms Karua pointed out the case of Ms Joy Midivo, whom she noted has been the chairperson of the UDA Internal Dispute Resolution Committee.
"It is clear that Ms Midivo is not eligible for consideration for appointment as an IEBC commissioner as stipulated in Article 88 (2) (a)(ii) of the Constitution of Kenya. Given the clear position articulated in our supreme law of the land, why was Ms Midivo shortlisted by the IEBC Selection Panel?" she posed.
"More so, this is a great betrayal to young Kenyans who sacrificed their lives on June 25, 2024 so as to have a credible and independent commission. Mr Ruto's personal advocate is also set for an interview as a possible commissioner," he said.
We ask, "How can a person bound by the principle of client confidentiality be expected to discharge his constitutional duty – free of actual and/or perceived perception that he would not be nonpartisan – if he is recommended for the position?"
Mr Wamalwa said it was becoming plausible that the review of the original list was designed to accommodate the interest of influential government-connected politicians.
"Worse, there are growing concerns about the National Intelligence Service (NIS), which has recently been accused of abductions, torture, civilian disappearances, and other human rights crimes and illegalities."
"We challenge the IEBC Selection Panel to categorically explain how Ms Midivo, Katwa Kigen were shortlisted, and the role, if any, of the NIS in the process."
The opposition chiefs also urged the panel not to take part in any partisan actions that may pose an existential threat to the well-being of the people of Kenya by undermining electoral justice.
"The Panel should only nominate persons who are beyond reproach and will carry out their functions in accordance with the Constitution of Kenya."
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."
'People's Loyal Opposition'
"It should be underlined that we, the People's Loyal Opposition, on behalf of the Kenyan people, will not tolerate this shabby attempt to rig the upcoming General Election by appointing a biased IEBC through a clearly compromised recruitment procedure," charged Mr Wamalwa.
The leaders at the same time accused Dr Ruto's UDA and Mr Odinga's ODM of engaging in violent early 2027 political campaigns.
They spoke as Dr Ruto begun his Mt Kenya tour on Tuesday where he will crisscross all through to Saturday.
The Head of State had earlier last Month toured Nairobi County in what he termed as a development tour.
"Following the unholy union of UDA and ODM, Mr Ruto launched an aggressive campaign in Nairobi, accompanied by UDA and ODM officials. The disruptive early campaigns featured marauding gangs who went on robbing and mugging sprees against unsuspecting Kenyans going about their everyday routine, under police protection."
The opposition luminaries also pointed out that president Ruto also "illegally exploited public resources to mobilise the paidup masses."
"The phoney display of support failed miserably, and the preposterous fake promises of creating and distributing millions of free "chapatis" to Kenyans did not quell the people's rage against the discredited leadership."
The leaders called on all citizens of Mt Kenya region to remain peaceful and patient and not to be "goaded by the bad, inciteful and hateful behaviour of the discredited regime."
They also expressed reservations on the declaration by the Nairobi City County on March 6, 2025 that proclaimed the Nairobi River Corridor as a Special Planning Area (SPA).
This, they said, will affect private properties from Naivasha road to Ruai including the tributaries of Nairobi River.
"We remind the Nairobi City County Government that the conversion of private property into public land is a function of the National Land Commission (NLC). We question why the county government would attempt to usurp the role of the NLC through this illegal and unconstitutional declaration."
