OPPOSITION REJECTS IEBC: LEADERS OPPOSING GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCE CREATION OF A PEOPLE’S IEBC

THEY CLAIM THE APPOINTMENTS ARE POLITICALLY BIASED

THEY SAY IS AIMED AT MANIPULATING THE ELECTORAL PROCESS

Leaders opposing the government are now accusing President William Ruto of an early attempt to rig the 2027 general election. This is with the claims that the current proposed commission is packed with his allies and his private advisors. The leaders through a press statement have announced that they will form a people’s electoral commission to mirror the independent electoral and boundaries commission (IEBC), with the aim of monitoring and holding it accountable based on the principles of transparency, integrity, and respect for the constitution.

In a press statement, the opposition led by wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka announced a plan to establish a people’s electoral commission, which will mirror the independent electoral and boundaries commission (IEBC). The opposition stated that this citizen-led commission will be tasked with monitoring all official IEBC activities with the goal of ensuring transparency, accountability, integrity, and constitutional compliance throughout the electoral process.

“This is not a commission for the people. It is a project designed to rig the next election in broad daylight, with the silent approval of his newfound ally, Hon. Raila Odinga,” said Kalonzo.

The opposition also criticized the appointment of the new IEBC chairperson, erastus edung, claiming he is a close associate of president william ruto and has close ties to state house through the state house comptroller, josphat nanok. The opposition leadership argued that erastus’s history as the county attorney of turkana reveals significant weaknesses in his performance.

“The shortlisted candidates Joy Midivo, a UDA party official, and Charles Nyachae, a longtime Ruto ally, were dubiously shortlisted despite clear conflicts of interest. Dr. Adams Oloo, a member of the selection panel, also serves as President Ruto’s strategic communication advisor an outright breach of impartiality,” Kalonzo claimed.

In addition, the opposition has directed criticism at the iebc selection panel, questioning the appointment of hassan noor, whom they claim is a relative to former suna east mp junet mohammed and was not on the original shortlist of nominees. These leaders also blamed adams oloo, describing him as president ruto’s strategic communications advisor, a role they say compromises the independence of the commission.

“We demand the immediate and full publication of the Selection Panel’s exit report and all Hansard records that the public can scrutinize on the criteria the selection panel used to recommend the 6 nominees of the commission,” read the statement in part.

Opposition leaders further directed blame at Raila Odinga, who has recently aligned politically with President Ruto. They said his silence indicates silent approval of this political project, which they claim is designed to rig the 2027 general election. These leaders claim the appointments are politically biased and aimed at manipulating the electoral process for the benefit of the current government.

“We will not sit back and watch the subversion of democracy. We are taking immediate steps to establish a People’s IEBC—a citizen-led watchdog that will mirror the official commission and hold it to the highest standards of transparency, integrity, and constitutionalism as envisioned in Article 10 on national values and the principles of good governance,” Kalonzo added.