Kalonzo, Wamalwa warn Ruto against partisan IEBC appointments

Wiper Democratic Movement and Democratic Action Party (DAP) leaders have warned President William Ruto against proceeding with appointments to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) without proper consultation.

 In a letter addressed to Ruto, Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa said the Constitution and recommendations from the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) require concurrence between ruling and opposition coalitions before the president appoints IEBC commissioners.

 “Any process that sidelines the opposition, or is limited to Kenya Kwanza Alliance and Orange Democratic Movement, will create a partisan IEBC and undermine public trust,” said Musyoka.

 The statement comes hours after the IEBC selection panel submitted its final report on the recruitment of the commission's chairperson and six members to President  Ruto.

The NADCO report, adopted by Parliament in February 2024, was created to ease post-2022 election tensions and outlined procedures for IEBC reforms, including bipartisan consultations before appointments.

 The letter noted that Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga had shifted to work with the Kenya Kwanza administration, leaving Wiper and DAP as the current opposition representatives.

 Musyoka urged Ruto to await an exit report from the IEBC selection panel before taking further steps.

 He said bipartisan engagement is vital to maintain electoral integrity and avoid sparking political instability.

 “This exercise is central to building public confidence in the IEBC,” noted Musyoka.

 The leaders warned that bypassing opposition input would risk compromising the independence of the electoral body, which they argued was crucial for safeguarding the will of Kenyan voters.