Kenyan Opposition Leaders Condemn Ruto-Raila IEBC Appointments
By Jameson Mutua
The United Opposition has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto and his new ally, Hon. Raila Odinga, accusing them of orchestrating a blatant attempt to rig the 2027 General Election through the recent reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, opposition leaders — including Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Justice Minister Martha Karua, DAP-Kenya’s Eugene Wamalwa, and others — claimed the newly appointed IEBC is a "partisan project" designed to serve President Ruto’s re-election bid. They alleged the commission lacks independence, integrity, and credibility.
“What we feared has now come to pass,” the statement read. “President 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.”
The opposition condemned the recruitment process as deeply flawed and politically manipulated. According to them, the selection panel was "an extension of State House" composed of Ruto loyalists and close advisors in violation of constitutional requirements for neutrality, public participation, and political balance.
They cited specific concerns, including the nomination of Hassan Noor, a relative of Hon. Junet Mohammed who was reportedly not on the original shortlist but included after the panel controversially extended its deadline. They also raised alarm over the inclusion of Joy Midivo, a known UDA party official, and Charles Nyachae, a longtime Ruto ally, both shortlisted despite apparent conflicts of interest.
Further concerns were raised about Dr. Adams Oloo, a member of the selection panel who also serves as President Ruto’s strategic communications advisor casting serious doubt on the panel’s impartiality. The nominee for Chairperson, Erastus Edung, was described as a Ruto loyalist with close ties to State House via Comptroller Josphat Nanok and a questionable track record from his tenure as County Attorney in Turkana.
The opposition cited Article 88(2) of the Constitution, which mandates the IEBC be independent and free from political influence. They argued the new appointments violate this principle, amounting to “state capture and electoral fraud in motion.”
“This Ruto-Raila Commission is the fruit of their broad-based brotherhood,” the statement declared, accusing Odinga of betraying his long-held advocacy for electoral justice. The opposition asserted that even if President Ruto were to install himself as IEBC chairman, they would not waver in their demand for a credible and independent electoral process.
In response, the opposition announced the creation of a People’s IEBC, a citizen-led electoral watchdog that will mirror and monitor the official commission to ensure transparency, integrity, and constitutional compliance ahead of the 2027 elections.
They also demanded the immediate release of the Selection Panel’s exit report and full public access to all Hansard records detailing the criteria used to nominate the new commissioners.
“To the people of Kenya: remain vigilant. Ruto’s desperation to cling to power by undermining independent institutions must and will be stopped,” the statement concluded, calling for mass mobilization to defend electoral justice and the democratic gains enshrined in the Constitution.
Kenya has been without substantive IEBC commissioners since early 2023, following the resignation and retirement of the previous team in the aftermath of the disputed 2022 elections. The long delay in appointing a new commission has raised concerns across the political spectrum about the integrity and preparedness of the electoral body ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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