President William Ruto pictured has received another blow after two petitioners seek to overturn his IEBC nominees. Photo: PSC.
Two petitioners have filed a petition in court challenging President William Ruto’s Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
According to the two petitioners Kelvin Omondi and Boniface Mwangi, as reported by Citizen Digital, the the whole selection is unconstitutional, as the due processes were not followed. They further expressed their fears of the National Assembly proceeding with the scrutiny and approval of the appointees despite the illegality of the process.
“The nomination does not meet the requirements of Articles 10, 27(1), 232 and 250(3) of the 2010 Constitution that calls for regional balance, ethic inclusivity and the inclusion of persons with disabilities,” argued the petitioners.
The two petitioners citing violation of the constitution including lack of inclusivity, regional balance and inclusion of persons living with disabilities (PWDs), failure to include the opposition as provided in the constitution IEBC Act, and the recommendations of the National Dialogue Committee Report (NADCO).
On May 7, the selection committee led by Dr. Nelson Makanda submitted seven proposed names to the president to replace former late chairperson Wafula Chebukati and the six commissioners who resigned.
Th proposed individuals include, Erastus Ethekon to be the chairperson of the commission, other five nominated to be commissioners include Anne Nderitu, Moses Mukhwana, Hassan Noor Hassan, Mary Sorobit, Francis Odhiambo and Fahima Abdalla.
The petition follows complains of six additional names being added to the commissioners list, that were not earlier listed in the gazette notice of shortlisted individuals. Allegations of Hassan Noor Hassan linked to leader of Minority in the National Assembly Junet Mohamed raised concerns of the conflict of interest.
Additionally, Ethekon is alleged to be a close ally of the Deputy Chief of Staff Executive Office of the President and former governor of Turkana Josephat Nanok, further raising eyebrows on the independence of the commission.
Mwangi and Omondi are seeking the courts order to stop the vetting and approval process by the National Assembly, as well as the swearing process.
The same frustrations and complains were raised by the Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, said the President ignored the principal of consultation and concurrence in his recommendations of the chairman and commissioners.
He further said the selection of nominees has created a lack of confidence and trust in the commission by Kenyans, and the opposition will give a full statement on the names of nominees presented by President William Ruto.
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