The National Liberal Party leader Dr. Augustus Kyalo Muli now claims there are alleged backroom power deals by the opposition aimed at manipulating the appointment of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials.
In a statement issued to newsrooms today, the NLP accuses Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-K’s Eugene Wamalwa of attempting to strong-arm President William Ruto into “consulting” them over the distribution of IEBC slots — a move the party describes as impunity disguised as inclusivity.
“The IEBC is not a political playground. It is a sacred institution of our democracy. It does not belong to Kalonzo Musyoka or Eugene Wamalwa. It belongs to all Kenyans,” said Dr. Muli.
The NLP lambasted what it described as “presumptuous” and “dangerous” pronouncements from the two opposition leaders, accusing them of trying to hijack the appointment process and turn it into a political horse-trade. The party warned that any attempt by President Ruto to succumb to pressure from such leaders would be met with fierce legal opposition.
“Who will speak for the many qualified Kenyans who applied and do not belong to political dynasties? Should they be locked out because they lack a godfather?” he posed.
Citing the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, the NLP emphasized that public service should be guided by meritocracy, competence, and integrity, not political deals crafted behind closed doors. The party also fired a warning shot to State House, demanding that the President uphold the rule of law and resist efforts to politicize the IEBC appointment process.
“If this government proceeds to appoint IEBC officials based on partisan recommendations, we shall seek legal redress. Kenya deserves better,” Dr. Muli stated.
The NLP also rallied the media to expose any attempt to manipulate the process, calling for investigative reporting to uncover behind-the-scenes lobbying that could threaten the independence of the IEBC.
This comes as President William Ruto yesterday received the final report from the IEBC Selection Panel on the just concluded interviews. He is now expected to nominate and transmit the names of the next Chairperson and Commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to the National Assembly for approval.
“We urge the President to take necessary measures to protect the integrity of our electoral process. The IEBC must be composed of individuals who are impartial, professional, and committed to national service — not handpicked loyalists,” said Muli.
As public interest in the IEBC reconstitution process surges, the NLP’s bold stance sets the stage for a potential political and legal showdown over who truly controls Kenya’s electoral future.
