Nairobi, Kenya — The political temperature in Kenya is heating up as opposition leaders Rigathi Gachagua and Kalonzo Musyoka have launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto, accusing him of scheming to rig the upcoming 2027 General Election.
In a joint press statement delivered on Tuesday, May 13, Gachagua, Kalonzo, and Martha Karua — all key opposition figures — expressed outrage over the composition of the newly appointed Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The trio alleges that President Ruto is handpicking loyalists to serve his political interests and secure his re-election bid.
“President William 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, with the silent approval of his newfound ally, Hon. Raila Odinga,” the opposition declared.
They particularly singled out Eratus Edung, the newly nominated IEBC chairperson, for his alleged close ties to Josphat Nanok, Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the President. The opposition also raised red flags over Hassan Noor, accusing the government of manipulating the nomination process to include him due to his alleged connections with National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed.
Plans to Launch a Parallel IEBC
In response to what they termed a “State House project masquerading as an electoral commission,” the opposition bloc announced plans to establish a parallel electoral body — the People’s IEBC — which will act as a citizen-led watchdog ahead of the 2027 polls.
“We are taking immediate steps to establish a People’s IEBC—a citizen-led watchdog that will mirror the official commission and hold it to the highest standards of transparency, integrity, and constitutionalism,” the statement read.
The leaders vowed not to stand by and watch the erosion of Kenya’s democratic processes, accusing the current regime of state capture and electoral fraud in motion.
Demand for Transparency
The opposition is now demanding the immediate public release of the Selection Panel’s exit report, along with all Hansard records detailing how the final six nominees to the IEBC were selected. According to them, transparency is the only way to restore public trust in Kenya’s electoral processes.
“Even if Dr. Ruto was to install himself as Chairman of the Commission in a bid to secure a second term, we are determined to overwhelmingly mobilize people to send this rogue regime home,” the leaders asserted.
As the 2027 General Election draws closer, these developments signal a potentially turbulent political season ahead, with growing concerns over electoral fairness, institutional independence, and national unity.
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