Opposition leaders have raised alarms over the ongoing process to recruit new commissioners and a chairperson for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), accusing the government of sidelining them. They argue that the recruitment is unconstitutional and threatens to undermine the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) framework, warning of court action if their concerns are ignored.
During a press conference on Tuesday, April 1, DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, alongside Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka and PLP’s Martha Karua, condemned the lack of consultation with opposition parties in the recruitment process. They stressed that the inclusion of Raila Odinga in the government has disrupted the intended balance of discussions set out by NADCO.
“The NADCO report was clear between the opposition and the government. Right now, Raila is in the government,” Wamalwa argued. “The rest of us who have remained in opposition have stood with Gen Z. We are not part of the broad-based government. So it is not proper for Raila and Ruto to have discussions on their own, it would go against the NADCO report.”
The statement comes after the IEBC selection panel recently interviewed 11 candidates for the commission’s chairperson role. However, the opposition leaders have signaled that they will not accept the new chair or commissioners if the recruitment process proceeds without their input.
“We are telling Raila and Ruto that we will not agree with the chairperson of the IEBC, and we are ready to go to court. Our lawyers are ready,” Wamalwa warned.
Kalonzo Musyoka also emphasized the need for an inclusive process and vowed to monitor the recruitment closely to ensure that it remains impartial and transparent.
“This is a matter of great importance, and we will not just sit back and wait for one side to determine the list of those who will be appointed as chairperson and commissioners of the IEBC,” Kalonzo said. “We are watching very closely. We are not sleeping on this matter. It is an issue that concerns all Kenyans and cannot be controlled by one side alone. If that happens, both Kenyans and the world will see that this is William Ruto’s Commission, and we cannot allow that.”
