Kalonzo Musyoka is not staying silent. The Wiper Party leader is up in arms over what he calls a State House-sponsored takeover of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
He has warned Kenyans to remain vigilant as the 2027 elections draw closer, claiming that President William Ruto is laying the groundwork for election manipulation.
Kalonzo’s fury centers around the recently released IEBC nominees list, which includes individuals he says are far from impartial.
This is not just political drama—it’s a direct threat to Kenya’s democracy, according to the opposition.
IEBC List Sparks Political Firestorm and Allegations of Bias
The release of the IEBC nominees list has ignited a political storm, with Kalonzo Musyoka and fellow opposition leaders decrying what they describe as a blatant State House plot to rig the 2027 elections.
Their accusations target the very foundation of Kenya’s electoral system: impartiality, integrity, and independence. At the center of the controversy is Erastus Edung, nominated as the next IEBC Chairperson.
According to Kalonzo and other opposition figures, Edung’s ties to State House disqualify him from leading an independent electoral body. They allege that he has long-standing connections to Comptroller Josphat Nanok, a senior figure within Ruto’s inner circle.
These ties, they argue, make Edung a loyal foot soldier for Ruto, not a neutral referee for democratic processes. Kalonzo’s camp didn’t stop there. They also took aim at Hassan Noor, another nominee, claiming that his inclusion on the list was the result of political favoritism.
Allegedly related to Junet Mohammed, Noor’s selection reportedly followed undue influence to extend the panel’s selection period—a move critics say was designed to manipulate outcomes behind the scenes.
The opposition also flagged Joy Midivo, who has links to Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), and Charles Nyachae, known for his long-standing loyalty to Ruto.
Add to that Adams Aloo, the President’s current strategic communications advisor, and the picture becomes clearer: the IEBC list is filled with individuals the opposition sees as Ruto’s political operatives.
They argue that the selection process itself was flawed from the beginning. According to Kalonzo, “The selection panel was nothing more than a political tool, packed with Ruto’s loyalists and handlers.”
With public participation and political neutrality allegedly thrown out the window, the opposition believes that the commission is compromised even before it begins work.
Erastus Edung’s Record Under Scrutiny
Kalonzo is not just concerned with Edung’s political ties—he’s also questioning his competence. Critics accuse Edung of running an inefficient and ineffective legal office during his time as County Attorney for Turkana.
The opposition claims that his legal decisions during that time lacked depth and contributed little to the county’s development or governance. Such a track record, they argue, is not just disqualifying but dangerous.
With Edung potentially steering Kenya’s 2027 electoral process, the risk of biased decisions and manipulated outcomes is higher than ever.
People’s IEBC as the Counterforce to Ruto’s List
In response to the crisis, Kalonzo and other opposition leaders are taking matters into their own hands. They’ve announced the formation of a “People’s IEBC”—a citizen-led watchdog group aimed at keeping the official commission in check.
This alternative body will monitor the IEBC’s actions and ensure that it adheres to the constitutional values outlined in Article 10, which focuses on national values and principles of governance.
According to Kalonzo, the People’s IEBC will work as a mirror institution, shedding light on any irregularities and promoting transparency in the lead-up to the next general election. “We will not sit back and watch democracy be hijacked. Kenyans deserve better,” he said.
In addition, the opposition has demanded that the government immediately publish the exit report and Hansard records of the selection panel.
A Looming Electoral Crisis?
The debate over the IEBC list is far from over. Kalonzo Musyoka and his allies firmly claim that President Ruto’s administration has already compromised the IEBC.
Their warnings signal a growing distrust in Kenya’s electoral institutions, a crisis that, if unaddressed, could erode public confidence ahead of the 2027 polls.
With Kalonzo now pushing for public oversight and transparency, pressure is mounting on the government to justify the controversial nominations. The ball is now in Ruto’s court, but one thing is clear: the battle over the IEBC list is not just about names on paper—it’s a fight for the soul of Kenya’s democracy.
