Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has strongly criticized President William Ruto for unilaterally appointing the chairperson and commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Kalonzo argued that the move violates the bipartisan consultation principles outlined in the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report.
Speaking in Kitui County, Kalonzo revealed he had written to both President Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga expressing his concerns but had yet to receive any response.
He warned that even if President Ruto appointed himself as IEBC chair, he would still be removed from office emphasizing that one cannot be both a player and the referee in electoral matters.
“You cannot be a player and pick a referee. I have written to Ruto and Raila Odinga as a principal during NADCO, and I have not received any response. We are not going to allow this thing to be easy. But we have said, nevertheless, that we are ready! Ata Ruto mwenyewe akijifanya yeye ndio chairman wa IEBC, Ruto must go!” Kalonzo said.
Kalonzo cited paragraphs 861 and 862 of the NADCO report, which recommend that appointments to the IEBC should be made through consensus between Kenya Kwanza and opposition parties to restore the commission’s credibility.
He accused President Ruto of ignoring this framework and accused him of partisanship aimed at manipulating both the upcoming by-elections and the 2027 polls.
