Details of Kalonzo’s open letter to Ruto and Raila
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, on Friday, March 28, 2025, penned a lengthy open letter to President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga regarding the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) reconstitution.
In his letter, Kalonzo noted that as the country prepares for the 2027 polls, Raila and Ruto should embrace the principle of consultation and concurrence between the government and the opposition to guarantee free, fair, verifiable, and credible elections.
With the recent signing of the working framework between the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Kalonzo opined that the two political outfits were aligned, calling for the need to include the opposition voice in the IEBC reconstitution process.
“Given the changed political landscape, where the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have formed a government and entered into informal relations, including through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in public at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on March 7, 2025, it is important to clarify who will participate in this critical process of consultation and concurrence.
“I firmly believe that UDA and ODM, now aligned on one side, should engage in discussions with those of us in the Opposition to ensure a balanced and inclusive process. This position is informed by the principles of checks and balances. Good Governance and Sound Public Policy,” Kalonzo’s letter read in part.
Undermining public trust
While insisting that ODM and UDA parties were aligned, Kalonzo maintained that the opposition should be invited to the table to participate in the IEBC reconstitution exercise to cultivate confidence in the upcoming electoral process.
Failure to which, Kalonzo warned of reviving dangerous precedent which in the past had led to election disputes.
“Any deviation from this approach would amount to a unilateral political act that serves the partisan interests of UDA and ODM, thereby undermining public trust and confidence in the establishment of the IEBC. Such an approach would also revive the dangerous precedent that contributed to the disputed elections and the post-election violence of 2007/08.
“This kind of politics risks plunging the nation into turmoil, jeopardizing the well-being of the people of Kenya, and testing our national unity and statehood,” Kalonzo warned.
Pre-rigging
In his letter, Kalonzo made it clear that failure to involve the opposition’s intake in the reconstitution of the electoral body would be deemed a plan to pre-rig the next polls.
He however made it clear that the opposition would oppose any attempts to interfere with electoral integrity.
“For avoidance of doubt, should the UDA/ODM Alliance proceed with appointment of the IEBC chairperson and commissioners without the meaningful participation of the Opposition, such an action will be deemed as an attempt to establish a partisan electoral body and pre-rig the next elections.
“We remain committed to vigorously opposing any attempt to interfere with or undermine the sovereign will of the Kenyan people.
In the best interest of the country and in the spirit of good faith and national conscience. I trust that you will do what is right and necessary for the nation.”
