NAIROBI, Kenya – Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has accused the government of orchestrating delays in the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), urging the withdrawal of an ongoing court case to allow the process to move forward.
Speaking during an end-of-year review at SKM Command Centre, Kalonzo claimed that the state is using proxies to stall the formation of a selection panel tasked with appointing new IEBC commissioners.
“They have wasted a lot of time. Let them withdraw the case that is state-sponsored through a judge in Kiambu,” said Kalonzo. “That was a tactic to delay reconstitution of the panel and then the IEBC itself. The ball is in William Ruto’s court to tell his proxies to withdraw the matter in the Court of Appeal.”
The selection process has been marred by legal and political tussles, including disputes within the opposition Azimio la Umoja coalition over panel representation.
While the National Liberal Party (NLP) nominated Dr. Augustus Muli, Kalonzo’s Wiper Party backed Dr. Koki Muli for the position.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, however, denied claims of state interference, attributing the stalemate to the legal injunction.
On Sunday, Kindiki urged parties involved to pursue an out-of-court settlement to resolve the impasse.
The prolonged delay in reconstituting the IEBC has raised concerns as the 2027 general elections draw closer.
Critics, including Kalonzo, argue that the lack of an operational electoral commission could erode public confidence in the country’s democratic processes.
Kalonzo also criticized President Ruto’s administration for failing to meet Kenyans’ expectations in its first year, pointing to rising cases of extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances as examples of governance failures.
The reconstitution of the IEBC remains a politically sensitive issue, with both the government and opposition accusing each other of attempting to influence the process.
Speaking during an end-of-year review at SKM Command Centre, Kalonzo claimed that the state is using proxies to stall the formation of a selection panel tasked with appointing new IEBC commissioners.
“They have wasted a lot of time. Let them withdraw the case that is state-sponsored through a judge in Kiambu,” said Kalonzo. “That was a tactic to delay reconstitution of the panel and then the IEBC itself. The ball is in William Ruto’s court to tell his proxies to withdraw the matter in the Court of Appeal.”
The selection process has been marred by legal and political tussles, including disputes within the opposition Azimio la Umoja coalition over panel representation.
While the National Liberal Party (NLP) nominated Dr. Augustus Muli, Kalonzo’s Wiper Party backed Dr. Koki Muli for the position.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, however, denied claims of state interference, attributing the stalemate to the legal injunction.
On Sunday, Kindiki urged parties involved to pursue an out-of-court settlement to resolve the impasse.
The prolonged delay in reconstituting the IEBC has raised concerns as the 2027 general elections draw closer.
Critics, including Kalonzo, argue that the lack of an operational electoral commission could erode public confidence in the country’s democratic processes.
Kalonzo also criticized President Ruto’s administration for failing to meet Kenyans’ expectations in its first year, pointing to rising cases of extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances as examples of governance failures.
The reconstitution of the IEBC remains a politically sensitive issue, with both the government and opposition accusing each other of attempting to influence the process.
