Wiper boss Kalonzo warns President Ruto against one-sided IEBC selection

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has written to President William Ruto, urging him to delay the appointment of new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials until there is proper consultation with the opposition.

The letter, which came shortly after the president received the list of IEBC nominees, outlines fresh concerns about the process and calls for inclusivity to preserve public trust in the commission.

Kalonzo argues that appointing new commissioners without involving the opposition risks creating a biased electoral body and could lead to future political instability.

"We note that today you received the report of the panel charged with recruiting persons for consideration as chairperson and members of the IEBC," he wrote.

"The law requires that the panel submit nine names for commissioners and two names for the chairperson’s position."

He referenced the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, which was developed through bipartisan talks between the Kenya Kwanza government and the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition.

Kalonzo stated that this report provides clear guidance for joint consultation before any appointments are made.

In addition to calling for dialogue, Kalonzo urged the release of a detailed exit report from the IEBC selection panel.

According to him, this report would support open and inclusive discussions.

"We call for an exit report by the selection panel interviewing the IEBC Chairperson and members, which will be instrumental in the process of consultations.

Ultimately, it will be in the interest of the people of Kenya that we get an IEBC Commission that has the support of both the opposition and ruling party; one that inspires public trust and that has the Independence that is required of it, " reads the letter.

The Wiper leader also noted the current shift in the opposition landscape, pointing out that Raila Odinga’s growing closeness with the Kenya Kwanza administration has changed the dynamics.

He emphasized that the Wiper Democratic Movement and the Democratic Action Party (DAP) now represent the voice of the opposition.

Kalonzo cautioned that leaving these parties out of the conversation would lead to a one-sided electoral body and called on the president to act fairly.

"Indeed, any exercise without the opposition in particular that will be limited to the Kenya Kwanza Alliance alone or Kenya Kwanza and the party leader of ODM will be an attempt to establish a partisan IEBC, setting the stage for usurpation of the sovereign will of the people of Kenya exercised at the ballot during the general elections. This will not be acceptable," said the former VP.

Kalonzo’s letter comes at a time when the president is expected to act on the report submitted by the IEBC selection panel.

The law gives him seven days to name the chairperson and commissioners and forward the list to Parliament for approval.

After receiving the report at State House, Ruto applauded the selection panel and expressed his readiness to follow the constitutional process.

But Kalonzo insists that following the law alone is not enough, urging the president to consider broader public interest and political fairness in handling such a sensitive matter.

He maintains that transparency, dialogue, and fairness should guide the next steps, especially in light of past electoral disputes and the importance of restoring full confidence in the IEBC.