Kalonzo, Karua, Wamalwa threaten to reject new IEBC team

Opposition leaders Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, and Eugene Wamalwa have expressed strong reservations about the ongoing process of appointing a new chairperson for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The three leaders have warned that they will reject any candidate selected without their involvement.

They have accused the Kenya Kwanza administration and its allies of attempting to take control of the electoral body to influence the outcome of future elections.

In a joint statement, the leaders claimed that President Ruto’s administration is working to establish a partisan electoral commission rather than an independent one.

They argued that this move appears to be designed to manipulate the next general election and extend the tenure of a government they believe has lost the confidence of the majority of Kenyans.

The opposition leaders have raised concerns about the credibility of the ongoing recruitment process for the chairperson and commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

According to them, qualified and experienced Kenyans were overlooked in favor of individuals with questionable credentials and political affiliations.

They alleged that some shortlisted candidates have ties to political parties, compromising the independence of the electoral body.

In their statement, they specifically pointed out Joy Mdivo, stating that she has served as the chairperson of the UDA internal dispute resolution committee.

“We challenge the IEBC selection panel to categorically explain how Ms Mdivo and Katwa Kigen were shortlisted and the role, if any, of the NIS in the selection process,” they said.

They argued that this makes her ineligible for appointment as an IEBC commissioner, as per Article 88, 2A Roman 2 of the Constitution, which bars individuals who have held office in a political party within the last five years.

The opposition also questioned the inclusion of President Ruto’s personal advocate, Katwa Kigen, in the selection process.

Furthermore, they raised concerns about whether the National Intelligence Service (NIS) was involved in vetting the applicants, casting doubt on the reliability of its assessments in ensuring an independent and credible electoral commission.

The opposition leaders have also called for broader consultations in the appointment of IEBC commissioners, emphasizing the need for engagement with the opposition, now led by Kalonzo Musyoka, given that the ODM party has joined the government.

They insisted that before the final appointments are made, there must be a process of consultation and consensus involving both President Ruto and Raila Odinga on one side and the opposition on the other.