Poghisio defends Kalonzo over objections to IEBC nominees list
Former Cabinet Minister Samuel Poghisio has come to the defence of Wiper Democratic Movement Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, terming his concerns with the Independent Boundaries and Electoral Commission (IEBC) reconstitution process as justified.
Speaking during an interview on Monday, May 12, 2025, Poghisio stated that the reservations from the opposition figures are warranted, with the possibility of election manipulation being a reality in the country.
“The IEBC reconstitution process is a very important issue. The other part of Azimio has every right to challenge the process. It is possible that the IEBC can be manipulated. What Kalonzo says is that we needed a consultation because this should be about the president alone. There is nothing wrong with that kind of discussion,” he stated.
Poghisio asserts that the government should do due diligence by responding to the raised queries as a way of eliminating the trust deficit surrounding the reconstitution of the body set to act as the referee for the upcoming 2027 elections.
“When I listen to the government side saying IEBC doesn’t vote, I wonder why we were in a crisis after last year’s elections and two years ago when we went to the Supreme Court. Kalonzo’s side is not saying that we withdraw the elections. They are saying, Let us address the issue we have problems with. What the government should do is to address the contentious issues being raised,” he stated.
“For the purpose of the next election, and since the last election showed us that commissioners can take sides, this process is now heading to parliament. Parliamentarians will probably do what they need to do, but it is important that the process is trusted,” he posited.
Ruto nominates IEBC chair
President Ruto on Tuesday, May 7, 2025, received the final report of the IEBC recruitment exercise from the Nelson Makanda-led Selection Panel. The president proceeded to nominate Erastus Ethekon as the new chairman to succeed the late Wafula Chebukati.
The Head of State 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).
The University of Nairobi graduate is now awaiting vetting by the parliament before starting his tenure as the new electoral body chair.
The announcement elicited a response from the former vice president, and a section of opposition leaders raised objections to Ethekon’s nomination.
The Wiper Party leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, on Friday, May 9, 2025, hit out at President William Ruto’s nominees for appointment as the chairperson and commissioners for the Independent Electoral Commission (IEBC).
Kalonzo said that he will mobilise thousands of people to watch over the elections in 2027.
“We have seen how President William Ruto has forwarded the names of individuals to be confirmed as chairman and commissioners for the IEBC. You cannot officiate a match in which you are also a player,” Kalonzo said.
“I have written to the president and also to Raila Odinga, but I have yet to receive correspondence from them. We are not going to let go of this easily.”
“We shall mobilise 20,000 Kenyans to oversee our elections in 20,000 polling stations in this country, and we will not need your IEBC because Kenyans will determine their leaders themselves,” he stated.
