- Kalonzo Musyoka accused President Ruto of sidelining public consultation in naming new IEBC officials.
- He claimed the move is politically driven and meant to influence upcoming elections.
- Ruto picked Erastus Ethekon as Chair, bypassing popular figures like Ann Amadi and Charles Nyachae.
- A recent TIFA poll showed low public confidence in the fairness of the process.
- The IEBC shake-up comes after past commissioners resigned following the 2022 election fallout.
- Parliament is expected to vet the nominees before they take office.
Wiper party boss Kalonzo Musyoka has taken a swipe at President William Ruto over what he calls a biased appointment of the new IEBC team. Kalonzo warned that Ruto’s latest move sends a dangerous signal that the ruling side is planning to tamper with both by-elections and the next general poll.
According to Kalonzo, the naming of Erastus Ethekon as the new IEBC Chair was done without proper consultation, which he says kills trust in the electoral body and raises serious doubts about future fairness.
Opposition Leader Alleges Hidden Agenda
Speaking shortly after the announcement, Kalonzo said the manner in which the appointments were made points to one thing—rigging plans. “This act of ignoring consensus exposes the intention behind it. It’s a calculated attempt to manipulate not just one election but all coming ones,” he warned. Kalonzo promised that the opposition will issue a detailed response on May 12.
Ruto Names New Commissioners Despite Public Reservations
President Ruto based his nominations on the recommendations from the official Selection Panel, which submitted a shortlist. From that list, he selected Erastus Ethekon as chair and six others as commissioners: Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor, Francis Aduol, and Fahima Abdallah. The names are now with the National Assembly for vetting.
Big Names Left Out Despite Popular Support
Some of the most talked-about candidates, like former Judiciary Registrar Ann Amadi and Charles Nyachae, were not on the final list. This came as a surprise since Amadi was the public’s favorite, with Nyachae trailing close behind according to a recent poll by TIFA.
Poll Shows Low Confidence in IEBC Selection Process
The TIFA poll revealed that 41% of Kenyans preferred Ann Amadi for the chairperson role, especially in Nairobi and Nyanza. Nyachae followed with 23%, while Ethekon only managed 15%. Despite being chosen, Ethekon lacked strong national backing, according to the report.
Public Trust in Process Remains Fragile
The survey also highlighted generational differences, with youth preferring Amadi for her gender and regional ties, while older voters leaned toward Nyachae for his experience. Still, when asked who was most neutral, many picked Ramadhan (38%), followed by Ethekon (30%).
More concerning, though, is that over half of Kenyans polled (55%) doubted the selection was fair or based on merit. Many linked their lack of trust to past election disputes.
IEBC Crisis Traces Back to 2022 Elections
The leadership shake-up at the electoral commission began in early 2023, when Chair Wafula Chebukati and two commissioners exited after finishing their terms. The crisis deepened after four other commissioners—famously known as the “Cherera Four”—quit or were pushed out for challenging the 2022 presidential results.
They were accused of trying to help Raila Odinga win and were eventually removed after pressure from the government. Their exit left IEBC crippled until the recent nominations.
Parliament to Begin Vetting Process Soon
With the new nominees now awaiting parliamentary vetting, the focus shifts to whether the National Assembly will raise questions about the fairness of the picks—or simply approve them as a formality. The outcome will set the tone for the kind of reforms, if any, that Kenyans can expect before the 2027 elections.
