Opposition raises polls impartiality concerns over IEBC nominees' connections to President Ruto
Lawyer Kigen, who has served as Ruto’s personal advocate for years, Mdivo, who heads the UDA Electoral Disputes Resolution Committee, and Nyachae, a close ally of the President, are among those under fire.
Concerns over impartiality are mounting as the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) faces scrutiny from various political and civil society groups.
Several nominees to key positions in the IEBC, including lawyer Katwa Kigen, Charles Nyachae, and Joy Mdivo, have been flagged for their alleged ties to President William Ruto.
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These connections have sparked fears that the upcoming elections could be influenced by favouritism, particularly as the country looks ahead to the 2027 polls.
The opposition has been vocal in condemning the nominees, accusing the President of attempting to install loyalists in the influential electoral body.
Allegations of an effort to manipulate the election process for political gain have intensified, with concerns that such appointments could undermine public trust in the IEBC.
Lawyer Kigen, who has served as Ruto’s personal advocate for years, Mdivo, who heads the UDA Electoral Disputes Resolution Committee, and Nyachae, a close ally of the President, are among those under fire.
These ties have led opposition figures, including Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua and Eugene Wamalwa, to argue that the appointments are part of a broader strategy to rig the upcoming general elections.
While opposition figures continue to voice their dissatisfaction, Mulle Musau, the national and regional coordinator for the Elections Observation Group, as reported by the Star, defended the qualifications of the nominees, stressing that the final decisions would ultimately depend on their professionalism.
"It is not so much about the names submitted; it is going to be about how they will conduct themselves," Musau remarked, pointing out that the vetting process would help determine their suitability for the roles.
Further complicating the issue, Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi expressed concerns that without addressing these issues, the integrity of future elections would be questioned.
Mwangangi emphasised that the situation must be handled carefully to maintain public confidence in the electoral process.
The ongoing vetting of IEBC commissioners has also drawn attention to the transparency of the selection procedure.
Despite the mounting pressure, Parliament granted a two-week extension to the selection panel, chaired by Nelson Makanda, to finalise its decisions.
Originally scheduled to conclude by April 28, the extension allows the committee more time to address concerns and ensure the integrity of the process.
As the controversy continues, observers emphasise the importance of upholding the independence of the IEBC to preserve the credibility of future elections.
The situation has raised significant concerns about the potential for manipulation and the preservation of a fair electoral process.
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