The ODM party has responded to Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s remarks regarding the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
On April 1, Kalonzo led a group of politicians in expressing concerns over the ongoing recruitment process for the IEBC chairperson and commissioners, stating that there was a need for transparency.
Kalonzo’s camp urged the selection panel to clarify the process through which certain shortlisted candidates had been selected, noting that some of them had political ties.
On Wednesday, Raila's team addressed the matter, asserting that the recruitment process was being conducted in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, which Kalonzo co-chaired.
Led by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, the party maintained that the selection panel was working independently and that ODM was not involved in determining the outcome, urging Kalonzo to stop political maneuvers aimed at delaying the IEBC reconstitution.
“The selection panel is supposed to work independently. They are not consulting ODM on who will be the chair of IEBC,’’ Sifuna stated.
“If that were the case, we would be the ones interviewing all the candidates," Sifuna said.
The ODM party spoke after a Central Management Committee meeting.
ODM further defended the ongoing recruitment process, arguing that it adheres to the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, which Kalonzo himself chaired.
Sifuna also pointed out that Wiper’s nominee to the selection panel, Koki Muli, had been fully involved in the shortlisting and ongoing interviews.
“Wiper got its rightful slot, and as we speak, Wiper’s nominee to the panel, Koki Muli, has fully participated in the shortlisting and ongoing interviews,’’ Sifuna noted.
He also alleged that one of Kalonzo’s advisors was among those shortlisted for the IEBC chairperson position.
“This is within the candidate’s constitutional right,’’ Sifuna added.
At the same time, ODM rejected a proposal from Kalonzo’s camp that the party should consult the opposition before finalising the merit list for the IEBC chairperson and commissioners.
“ODM is not in government; it is a distinct and independent political party separate from the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition,’’ Sifuna asserted.
Kalonzo’s faction had earlier called for President William Ruto to engage them in discussions before appointing the new IEBC leadership.
“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,” said People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, who read the statement on behalf of the group.
However, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was notably absent from the press briefing, which was attended by Karua, Eugene Wamalwa, and Kalonzo Musyoka.
Speaking at the Nairobi press conference, the group argued that ODM’s cooperation agreement with President Ruto effectively makes it part of Kenya Kwanza, positioning Kalonzo Musyoka as the de facto opposition leader.
