Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has raised serious concerns over President William Ruto’s nomination of Erastus Edung Ethekon as the new chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), accusing the president of bypassing inclusive consultation and undermining public trust in the electoral body.

Speaking during a press briefing, Kalonzo claimed the President’s decision was partisan and lacked the necessary political consensus expected in appointing officials to such a sensitive and nationally significant institution.

“We are extremely concerned that President Ruto chose to act unilaterally, ignoring the principle of consultation and concurrence in nominating the IEBC chair and commissioners. This has automatically created a low-trust institution,” Kalonzo stated.

The opposition leader argued that the move jeopardizes not only the credibility of upcoming by-elections but also the 2027 General Election, implying that the process appears pre-determined to serve partisan interests.

“As we had indicated previously, this latest action only confirms our fears — that the intent is to rig not just future by-elections but also the next general election,” he added.

On Thursday, President Ruto formally nominated Erastus Ethekon, a lawyer and former Turkana County Attorney, to head the electoral commission. Alongside him, six others were nominated as IEBC commissioners:

• Ann Njeri Nderitu (Nyandarua)

• Moses Alutalala Mukhwana (Kakamega)

• Mary Karen Sorobit (Uasin Gishu)

• Hassan Noor Hassan (Mandera)

• Francis Odhiambo Aduol (Kisumu)

• Fahima Arafat Abdallah (Lamu)

The names were submitted by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, following the conclusion of interviews by the IEBC Selection Panel, whose report was handed to the President earlier this week.

As per the IEBC Act (2011), Parliament now has 21 days to vet the nominees before they can formally assume office.

Kalonzo emphasized that the opposition will soon issue a detailed statement outlining their reasons for rejecting the list of nominees, stating categorically that they do not have confidence in the current appointments.

If approved, Ethekon will succeed Wafula Chebukati, the former IEBC chair who passed away in February 2025, leaving the commission in a prolonged leadership vacuum.