By Andrew Mbuva
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has sensationally accused ODM chief Raila Odinga of silently endorsing President William Ruto’s controversial nominees to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), setting the stage for what he claims is a plot to rig the 2027 elections.
In a fiery statement to the media, Kalonzo declared that President Ruto had handpicked a politically compromised commission with the silent blessing of Raila — his newfound political ally — undermining Kenya’s democratic future.
“What we feared has now come to pass. President William Ruto has handpicked a partisan IEBC—tailored to serve his 2027 re-election ambitions. 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, Raila Odinga,” Kalonzo stated.
The former Vice President lamented that the current IEBC process has betrayed the spirit of bipartisan reforms, branding the outcome a “Ruto-Raila Commission.” He accused the selection panel of being a political puppet of State House, packed with Ruto loyalists and behind-the-scenes operatives.
Kalonzo decried the lack of transparency in the recruitment process, claiming it violated constitutional principles of public participation, political neutrality, and consultation.
“We raised our concerns. We called for transparency. We demanded that the process be above board. Instead, we were met with deception, blatant manipulation, and disregard of the principle of consultation and concurrence,” he said.
He singled out controversial names among the nominees, including Hassan Noor — allegedly a relative of Suna East MP Junet Mohammed — who, according to Kalonzo, was never on the original shortlist but was added after the panel’s deadline was suspiciously extended at Junet’s request.
Other flagged nominees include Joy Midivo, whom he described as a known UDA party official, and Charles Nyachae, a longtime Ruto ally — both of whom, Kalonzo claimed, pose glaring conflicts of interest.
He also blasted Dr. Adams Oloo, a member of the selection panel and reportedly Ruto’s strategic communication advisor, for breaching impartiality.
The nominee for Chairperson, Erastus Edung’, did not escape scrutiny either. Kalonzo labelled him a known Ruto insider with ties to State House through Comptroller Josphat Nanok, and accused him of having a poor track record as County Attorney in Turkana.
“The Constitution is clear. Article 88(2) demands that the IEBC be independent, impartial, and free from political influence. What Ruto has created is the very opposite—an extension of his campaign machinery masquerading as an electoral body,” Kalonzo said.
He announced that the opposition will not remain silent as democracy is subverted. In a bold move, Kalonzo revealed that the opposition will establish a People’s IEBC — a parallel citizen-led electoral watchdog that will hold the official commission to account in line with Article 10 of the Constitution on national values and governance.
Kalonzo further demanded the immediate release of the selection panel’s exit report and all Hansard records detailing how the final nominees were selected, urging full public scrutiny of the flawed process.
As tensions over electoral credibility heat up, Kalonzo’s hard-hitting remarks mark a turning point in the opposition’s battle against what they view as a creeping political takeover of Kenya’s most critical democratic institution.
