Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has now accused President William Ruto of planning to rig the 2027 General Election and the upcoming by-elections.

This follows his (Ruto’s) nominations of the chairman and members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

In a statement on  his social media, Kalonzo stated that the nominations have created a low-trust institution.

“As we had stated in prior correspondence on the subject, it is now evident that the intention is to rig not only the next election but also the upcoming by-elections,” he said.

“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 Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).”

Further, he said that a statement will be released by The Opposition on Monday, May 12, 2025.

Edung Ethekon

Ruto nominated Erastus Edung Ethekon as the new Chairperson of IEBC in an announcement by the Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

This is after the president received the report of the IEBC Selection Panel on  Tuesday, May 7, 2025.

He is set to replace the late Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati, who died at a Nairobi hospital in February 2025  following a long illness, aged 63.

Chebukati was appointed IEBC Chairperson by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in January 2017 with his six-year term coming to a conclusion on January 17, 2023.

He took over the top job at the electoral commission from Ahmed Issack Hassan.

Other nominees

Ruto has also nominated six IEBC Commissioners from various regions, among them Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu (Nyandarua) and Moses Alutalala Mukhwana (Kakamega).

Other nominees include: Mary Karen Sorobit (Uasin Gishu), Hassan Noor Hassan (Mandera), Francis Odhiambo Aduol (Kisumu), and Fahima Araphat Abdallah (Lamu).

“In accordance with our supreme law, the nominations have been transmitted to the National Assembly for consideration and approval by Parliament, in accordance with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act as well as the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act (Chapter 7F, Laws of Kenya),” Koskei announced.

“In recognition of the indispensable role of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as one of the cornerstone institutions of our democracy and a custodian of electoral management, His Excellency the President has urged the National Assembly to prioritise the consideration of these nominations,” he added.