Kenya’s next general election is already under fire—and it has not even begun. President William Ruto’s recent nomination of seven individuals to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has ignited a political storm.
Critics argue the new IEBC nominees are not neutral umpires but players in a high-stakes match designed to secure victory for Ruto and his rival-turned-ally, Raila Odinga, in 2027.
At least five of the seven nominees are facing accusations of having direct or indirect ties to either Ruto or Raila.
This has triggered an outcry from opposition leaders, who warn the appointments could turn the IEBC into a puppet of the ruling elite, undermining public trust in the electoral process.
Why the New IEBC Nominees Raise Alarm Over Election Integrity
The nomination list reads like a political roll call. Leading the pack is Erastus Edung Ethekon, a former Turkana County attorney, tapped by President Ruto to chair the IEBC. While Ethekon’s legal credentials are undisputed, critics point to his history of working closely with political actors allied to Ruto.
Alongside him is Ann Nderitu, the current Registrar of Political Parties. Her appointment to the electoral commission raises eyebrows since she has been central in overseeing political party affairs under Ruto’s administration. Her proximity to the political establishment fuels fears that she may not act independently when overseeing elections.
Also nominated are Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Prof. Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah. Reports suggest at least three of these individuals have either worked with Ruto-aligned parties or have close ties to figures in Raila Odinga’s political network.
One nominee, insiders say, is related to a key member of Raila’s inner circle, raising suspicion that the appointments were a product of backroom political deals rather than merit or impartiality.
Opposition Cries Foul Over Partisan Appointments
The backlash was swift. Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka led the charge, accusing President Ruto of partisanship and betrayal of democratic principles.
“We are extremely concerned that Mr. Ruto chose to be partisan by ignoring the principle of consultation and concurrence in his recommendations of the chairman and members of the IEBC,” Kalonzo declared. “This action has automatically created a low-trust institution.”
Kalonzo warned that the appointments are a deliberate move to rig not only the 2027 general election but also upcoming by-elections. Speaking at the funeral of Kariobangi North MCA Joel Munuve, Kalonzo criticized Ruto for attempting to appoint a “referee who will oversee the game he is playing in.”
In defiance, Kalonzo assured Kenyans that he was ready to battle it out regardless of the odds. “He can as well go ahead and appoint himself as the chairman of IEBC but we will still send him home in 2027,” he declared.
Kalonzo also faulted Ruto for disregarding recommendations from the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO), which called for bipartisan consultation in filling IEBC positions. “Our parties were not consulted as the basic practice and standard in any democracy, but we will soldier on to save this country from Ruto’s misrule,” Kalonzo said.
A Commission Already Stained Before It Starts
Political analysts warn the IEBC risks losing credibility before it even begins operations under the new leadership. The opposition’s claim that the new IEBC nominees are politically compromised undermines the commission’s independence, which is critical for managing free and fair elections.
By appointing individuals linked to both Ruto and Raila, critics argue the President is trying to neutralize opposition while consolidating control over the electoral body. Some see it as a shrewd political strategy aimed at preventing legal challenges and street protests in 2027 by ensuring all sides are locked in through quiet deals.
“This is not just about winning an election,” political commentator Peter Mwangi notes. “It’s about controlling the entire electoral playing field from within. Both Ruto and Raila are investing in an IEBC that works for them, not for the Kenyan voter.”
Meanwhile, civil society groups are raising concerns over the lack of public participation in the nomination process. “Kenyans have a right to demand a transparent, accountable and impartial IEBC. What we are seeing is the exact opposite,” said Sheila Okoth, a governance expert.
The Battle for 2027 Starts Now
The fight over the new IEBC nominees signals that the 2027 election will be fiercely contested—well beyond the campaign trail. With questions already swirling around the neutrality of the commission, opposition leaders and watchdog groups are bracing for a protracted legal and political battle over the electoral agency’s composition.
For President Ruto and Raila Odinga, the stakes could not be higher. For Kenyans, the risk of another disputed election, with all its attendant chaos, looms large.
As Kalonzo Musyoka vowed, the opposition is preparing to challenge the nominations both politically and legally. But unless the process is reopened and made more transparent, faith in Kenya’s electoral system may erode further, deepening the country’s political fault lines ahead of 2027.
