Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagu's allied opposition has threatened to take legal and political
action if President William Ruto appoints electoral commissioners without
consulting them.
The group, known as the People’s Loyal Coalition, urged the President to engage them for concurrence before formally appointing the new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials.
The President is expected to receive a list of successful candidates from the IEBC selection panel once the ongoing interviews conclude later this month.
According to the law, the President has the authority to select the chairperson and six commissioners from the recommended candidates and forward their names to Parliament for approval.
Leaders aligned with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s camp insist that consultations should involve President Ruto, ODM leader Raila Odinga, and the officially recognized opposition.
“Let there be consultations between Kenya Kwanza and its allies, ODM—since it is now an ally of Kenya Kwanza—and the opposition in Parliament, as cited in the NADCO report,” the group said in a statement read by People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua.
However, Gachagua was not present during the press briefing attended by Karua, Eugene Wamalwa and Kalonzo Musyoka.
Addressing the press in Nairobi, the group argued that since ODM has a cooperation agreement with President Ruto, the party is effectively part of Kenya Kwanza, making Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka the de facto opposition leader.
“In Parliament, the second-largest party after ODM—now aligned with the government—is Wiper, led by Kalonzo Musyoka, alongside DAP-K and Jubilee, under Uhuru Kenyatta,” Karua said.
“When we talk about concurrence, we expect Ruto to consult Kalonzo Musyoka, who will then convene discussions with other opposition leaders. Any appointment of the chairperson or commissioners without involving the opposition is unacceptable, and we will pursue all available legal and political options.”
The opposition also called on the IEBC selection panel to remain impartial and ensure a fair recruitment process.
“We urge the panel to avoid partisan decisions that could threaten Kenya’s democracy by undermining electoral justice,” Karua stated.
She further challenged the panel to explain why over 1,400 qualified applicants were overlooked while politically affiliated individuals were shortlisted.
“A significant number of those shortlisted have partisan interests, with ties to either ODM or UDA,” she claimed.
Karua also raised concerns about conflicts of interest among some shortlisted candidates.
“A person who served as the UDA internal dispute resolution committee chairperson does not meet the qualifications stipulated in Article 88 of the Constitution to be an IEBC commissioner,” Karua argued.
"We ask how a person bound by the dictates of advocate-client confidentiality is expected to discharge his constitutional duty free of actual or perceived conflict of interest?"
