Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has written to President William Ruto, urging him to involve the opposition in the process of appointing new commissioners to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Kalonzo sent the letter shortly after the president received the report from the IEBC selection panel, which interviewed candidates for the positions of chairperson and commissioners.
In the letter, Kalonzo called for fresh bipartisan consultations, warning that failure to include the opposition in the appointments would erode public trust in the commission and risk creating a partisan electoral body.
“We note that today you received the report of the panel charged with recruiting persons for consideration as chairperson and members of the IEBC,” Kalonzo wrote. “The law requires that the panel submit nine names for commissioners and two names for the chairperson’s position.”
The former Vice President referred to the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, which was agreed upon after months of talks between the Kenya Kwanza government and the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition. Kalonzo said the NADCO agreement emphasized the need for consultation and consensus between both sides before IEBC appointments are confirmed.
He also demanded the immediate release of an exit report by the selection panel, saying it would help ensure transparency in the next phase of the appointment process.
“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,” the letter added.
Kalonzo also commented on the changing political environment, pointing out that the traditional opposition landscape has shifted, with ODM leader Raila Odinga appearing to warm up to the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“The opposition is now represented by the Wiper Democratic Movement and the Democratic Action Party (DAP),” Kalonzo stated.
He warned President Ruto that leaving out the new opposition from the process could lead to the formation of a biased electoral commission, which may jeopardize future elections.
“Any exercise without the opposition, particularly one limited to the Kenya Kwanza Alliance alone or Kenya Kwanza and the ODM party leader, will be an attempt to establish a partisan IEBC. This would undermine the sovereign will of the people expressed at the ballot. It will not be acceptable,” he said.
Earlier, President Ruto received the IEBC nominees’ report at State House and commended the selection panel for their work. He assured Kenyans that he would follow the law in appointing the next chairperson and commissioners.
According to the IEBC Act, the president has seven days to submit the final names to Parliament for approval.
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