Civil Society raises alarm over credibility of 2027 polls following shortlisting of Ruto allies

Members to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel. (Photo: National Assembly)

By Joseph Ndunda
Thursday, April 24, 2025

Professor Ogolla questioned how the Dr Makanda-led panel arrived at what he described as “a shortlist resembling a selection of regime loyalists.”

A civil society organisation has raised concerns over the credibility of the 2027 General Election following the shortlisting of individuals perceived to be close allies of President William Ruto, including United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party official, Joy Mdivo.

Operation Linda Jamii, led by Professor Fred Ogolla, claims that the actions of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel, chaired by Dr Nelson Makanda, have cast doubts on the integrity of the recruitment process.

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Professor Ogolla questioned how the Dr Makanda-led panel arrived at what he described as “a shortlist resembling a selection of regime loyalists.”

He pointed specifically to Joy Mdivo, who currently chairs the UDA’s Electoral Disputes Resolution Committee and also serves as the chairperson of the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), a state-controlled entity.

“We therefore wish to place Kenyans on high alert. How can a party insider be trusted to oversee a free and fair election? This is a clear conflict of interest and a direct violation of the constitutional requirement for an independent IEBC,” Ogolla stated.

The former Strathmore University lecturer also cited Charles Nyachae, another shortlisted candidate, who currently serves as chairperson of the council at the Kenya School of Government. Ogolla criticised Nyachae as a long-standing government appointee and “recycled bureaucrat” who, in his view, would serve the political establishment rather than the people of Kenya.

“The IEBC is supposed to function as an independent electoral body, yet the Makanda-led panel has deliberately shortlisted individuals with known political affiliations and questionable credibility,” he said.

He added that evidence had been submitted to the court showing that Nyachae is listed with the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB). “How can someone entrusted with Sh66 billion at the IEBC be on the CRB blacklist — despite coming from a wealthy family with a former minister — and entangled in family disputes?” he posed.

Professor Ogolla warned that the panel would be held accountable should the 2027 electoral process become flawed. He cautioned that if public confidence in the process erodes and the country descends into post-election unrest, the panel’s decisions will be remembered as a contributing factor.

However, he added that the panel still had time to rectify what he termed a “skewed recruitment process” for the IEBC chairperson and commissioners.

“You still have an opportunity to do the right thing: withdraw the flawed shortlist, repeat the process, and ensure that only genuinely independent individuals are considered for these crucial roles,” he urged.

“If you fail to do so, history will remember you as the panel that auctioned Kenya’s democracy to the highest bidder.”

Professor Ogolla has already filed a petition in the High Court seeking to nullify the panel’s shortlist. He is calling for a fresh, transparent, and lawful selection process that ensures only qualified and independent individuals are shortlisted.

Additionally, he wants an investigation into the panel’s conduct to determine whether political interference influenced what he describes as a “compromised process.”