Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka. /KALONZO MUSYOKA/XWiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has fired a stern warning to the newly sworn-in Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, cautioning against any actions that may compromise the integrity of the 2027 General Election.
In a strongly worded statement on X, Kalonzo, a senior figure in the opposition coalition that questioned the credibility of the commission's recruitment, dismissed the new team as a "handpicked commission" and warned them against tampering with the electoral process.
“To the new IEBC, please do not try Kenyans. Already, the irregularities are far too many. Therefore, stand warned that any attempt to tamper with the electoral process will be met with unrelenting resistance,” he posted.
“The will of the people is not negotiable,” he added.
Kalonzo's remarks come just hours after Chief Justice Martha Koome presided over the swearing-in of IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon and six commissioners at the Supreme Court on Friday.
In her address, Koome reminded them of the heavy responsibility they bear as the country inches closer to the next general election, warning that the commission will be judged by its ability to deliver a free, fair and credible poll.
The new team came into office following a protracted court battle that only ended a day to their swearing-in.
The legitimacy of the new team had been put to the test after Justice Lawrence Mugambi ruled that President William Ruto’s appointment and gazettement of the commissioners violated court orders and were therefore unconstitutional.
But while a three-judge bench on Thursday upheld Mugambi's ruling declaring the President's actions a nullity, they affirmed the validity of the commissioners’ nominations, saying there was no evidence that the process of recruitment was flawed.
Ruto issued a fresh gazette notice Thursday evening, paving the way for the team's swearing-in on Friday morning.
As the countdown to 2027 begins, pressure is mounting on the new commission to assert its independence and earn public trust amid growing concerns over its formation and mandate.
Former nominated senator Millicent Omanga advised the new IEBC team to steer clear of any manipulation and ensure the voice of the electorate is respected.
"The new commissioners must understand that this is probably the most consequential election in our history as a country, and Kenyans will be watching their moves," she said.
In her remarks, Koome told the new team, “the cry from every corner of our nation is for integrity, transparency, accountability and justice”.
“You are taking office at a time when our nation is undergoing a period of great reckoning – a moment when Kenyans, especially our young people, are expressing discontent and frustrations with public institutions,” the CJ said.
