Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has criticized President William Ruto’s nomination of Erastus Edung Ethekon as the new chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), warning that the move threatens public trust in Kenya’s electoral processes.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Kalonzo accused the President of disregarding inclusivity and consensus by failing to consult opposition leaders and key stakeholders before making the appointments.
“We are extremely concerned that Mr. Ruto chose to be partisan by ignoring the principle of consultation and concurrence in his recommendation of the chairman and members of the IEBC,” Kalonzo said. “This action has automatically created a low-trust institution.”
The former Vice President did not mince his words, suggesting that the President’s move was a deliberate setup to rig both the upcoming by-elections and the 2027 General Election.
“As we had stated in prior correspondence on the subject, it is now evident that the intention is to rig, not only the next General Election but also the upcoming by-elections,” he stated.
President Ruto nominated Ethekon — a former Turkana County Attorney — to succeed the late Wafula Chebukati, whose tenure came to an end on January 2023. Ethekon’s nomination was accompanied by six others picked to serve as commissioners, namely Ann Njeri Nderitu (Nyandarua), Moses Alutalala Mukhwana (Kakamega), Mary Karen Sorobit (Uasin Gishu), Hassan Noor Hassan (Mandera), Francis Odhiambo Aduol (Kisumu) and Fahima Araphat Abdallah (Lamu).
The appointments followed a report submitted by the IEBC Selection Panel earlier in the week. Head of Public Service Felix Koskei made the announcement on Thursday.
While the nominees await parliamentary vetting — a process legally required to be completed within 21 days — political temperatures are already rising.
Kalonzo disclosed that the opposition coalition will soon issue a detailed statement rejecting the nominees in full, citing lack of confidence in both the process and the individuals selected.
“We will be releasing a comprehensive statement outlining our reasons for rejecting these names. This is not about personalities — it’s about principles,” Kalonzo affirmed.
The IEBC, which has long been under scrutiny, now finds itself once again in the eye of a political storm. Whether Parliament will rubber-stamp the nominees or buckle under public pressure remains to be seen.
By Linah Towett
