By Neville Oduor
Wiper Party’s leader Kalonzo Musyoka has criticised President Ruto for choosing an Independent Electrol Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in favour of his 2027 re-election ambitions.
He alleged that the commission was sighted as a project put in place to rig the next elections.
“This is not a commission for the people, it is a project designed to rig the next election in broad daylight,” read Kalonzo’s statement in part.
“The selection panel was a political extension of statehouse,” Kalonzo Musyoka stated adding that the entire recruitment process was flawed.
“It was flawed with the included president’s loyalists and backroom advisors” he alleged.
He argued that the constitution was not entirely involved as it lacks integrity, legitimacy and public trust.
“Hassan Noor a relative of Hon.Junet Mohammed was not on the shortlist and was included after Junet pushed for an extension of the panel selection deadline,” claimed Kalonzo.
“Joy Midivo,a UDA party official and Charles Nyachae, a long time Ruto ally, we’re dubiously shortlisted despite conflict of interest,” he added.
“Dr. Adams Oloo, a member of the selection panel, also serves as President’s Ruto strategic communication advisor,an outright breach of impartiality,” he reiterated.
“Erastus Edung, the nominee for chairperson, is a known Ruto loyalist with close ties to State House via comptroller Josphat Nanok. His track record in Turkana County as County Attorney is riddled with failure,” the opposition leader remarked.
He further claimed that the selection was an extension of the president’s campaign machinery masquerading as an electoral body which limits IEBC independence, impartial and free from political influence.
“We are taking immediate steps to establish a People’s IEBC- a citizen-led watchdog that will mirror the official commission and hold it to the highest standards of transparency, integrity and constitutionalism,” the Wiper party leader revealed.
He demanded for the immediate and full publication of the selection panel’s exit report and all Hansard records arguing that it will give room for public scrutinizing in the selection of the commission’s six nominees.
Furthermore, Musyoka urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and that the President’s interference with the IEBC selection should be stopped as he violated the constitutions right of free, fair and credible elections.
“This is not just about 2027, it’s about the soul of democracy,” he emphasized.