By Andrew Mbuva
Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse has hit back at critics of President William Ruto’s recent appointment of the new IEBC Chairperson and six commissioners, saying the process was long overdue and above board.
Speaking during an interdenominational church service and fundraising event at Nandi Hills Stadium in Nandi Hills Constituency, Mutuse dismissed allegations that the Head of State acted unilaterally or with political bias in making the appointments.
Mutuse emphasized that the process was birthed from the NADCO talks, co-chaired by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.
“The process leading to the nomination of the Chairman and members was consultative. It was a product of the NADCO process, and all political players were represented,” Mutuse said. He highlighted that even the Wiper party had a representative—Dr. Koki Muli—on the IEBC selection panel.
He noted that the final list of nominees presented to the President came directly from the selection panel and was not personally crafted by him. "The President’s nominees are the result of a competitive, constitutional, and legal process,” he asserted.
Mutuse challenged those opposed to the appointments to raise their objections during the parliamentary vetting process rather than discrediting a legitimate procedure.
He stressed the urgency of reconstituting the electoral body, pointing out that six constituencies currently lack MPs, one county has no senator, and seven wards are without MCAs. “It is an injustice for Kenyans in those regions to continue lacking representation,” he said.
With just under two years to the next General Election, Mutuse underlined the importance of giving the new IEBC team time to prepare. He also urged leaders to stop blaming the commission for election outcomes.
“IEBC is just a referee. It's not the government or the commission that elects leaders—it’s the people,” he declared.
Opposition leaders, led by Kalonzo Musyoka, have criticized the appointments, accusing the President of ignoring the spirit of the Bomas Draft, which emphasized consultation and consensus in the appointment of IEBC commissioners.
