Ruto-Raila alliance picks IEBC, sparks revolt

Opposition leaders have accused President Ruto and Orange Democratic Movement chief Raila Odinga of plotting to rig 2027 polls through a compromised and partisan Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission.
As the country approaches another potentially high-stakes elections, the integrity of the electoral body and the political will to preserve democratic principles, is under be under intense scrutiny.
In a fiery press statement released on Tuesday,14 May 2025, the opposition leaders claimed that the recently concluded IEBC recruitment process was not only unconstitutional but also deliberately designed to stack the electoral body with loyalists of the Ruto administration and Raila’s inner circle.
“This is not a commission for the people. It is a project designed to rig the next election in broad daylight,” the statement read. “With the silent approval of his newfound ally, Raila Odinga, President William Ruto has handpicked a partisan IEBC, tailored to serve his 2027 re-election ambitions.”
The coalition named several of the six newly nominated commissioners as clear examples of conflict of interest and political manipulation. Among those cited was Hassan Noor, whom Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka claims was “not on the original shortlist” and only made the cut after intervention by Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, reportedly a close confidant of Odinga.
Joy Midivo, a known United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party official, and Charles Nyachae, a longtime political associate of Ruto, were also named as examples of politically-aligned nominees. Even more contentious is the nomination of Erastus Edung as Chairperson of the IEBC. Edung, once Turkana County’s legal counsel, was labeled “a known Ruto loyalist with close ties to State House via Comptroller Josphat Nanok.”
In perhaps the most legally damning revelation, the statement claimed that Adams Oloo, who sat on the selection panel, also serves as Ruto’s strategic communication advisor,an outright contradiction of the constitutional requirement for neutrality.
“The Constitution is clear,” Kalonzo warned. “Article 88(2) demands that the IEBC be independent, impartial, and free from political influence. What Ruto has created is the very opposite, an extension of his campaign machinery masquerading as an electoral body.”
Constitutional lawyer and election expert Willis Otieno echoed the concerns, warning that the credibility of the 2027 general elections now hangs in the balance.
“What we are seeing is the return of electoral authoritarianism through institutional capture,” Otieno said in an interview with a local TV.
“The independence of the IEBC is not a luxury,it is a constitutional safeguard. When appointments are made based on political loyalty rather than merit and integrity, it undermines the very foundation of our democracy.”
Otieno further criticized the lack of transparency in the recruitment process: “There is no public record showing how the selection panel arrived at these choices. We must demand full disclosure of the panel’s deliberations and exit report.”
The statement pointed criticism yet of the emerging Ruto-Raila political alliance, which has shocked the nation after years of deep-seated rivalry between the two political giants. The opposition accused Raila of enabling the subversion of democratic institutions, branding the IEBC as “a fruit of the broad-based brotherhood.”
 calls for resistance and a parallel electoral body
The People’s United Opposition vowed not to take the development lying down. Declaring this a “war for the soul of our democracy,” the coalition announced the formation of a parallel citizen-led electoral watchdog dubbed the People’s IEBC.
“We are taking immediate steps to establish a People’s IEBC—a citizen-led watchdog that will mirror the official commission and hold it to the highest standards of transparency, integrity, and constitutionalism,” read the statement.
They also demanded the publication of all Hansard records related to the selection panel’s proceedings and the release of its exit report for public scrutiny.
“The public must see how this selection was manipulated,” said Martha Karua, party leader of the People’s Liberation Party and a vocal critic of the Ruto-Raila rapprochement. “This is not just about 2027. It is about protecting the democratic gains we fought for.”
With the IEBC at the center of Kenya’s electoral integrity, the fallout from these appointments is likely to echo loudly into the 2027 campaign season. Lawyer Willis Otieno warns that unless steps are taken to restore public trust, the country risks “a repeat of post-election instability.”
“When you shake public confidence in the electoral process, you fuel the potential for chaos,” he said. “We must not forget the lessons of 2007, 2013, and even 2022.”
Otieno emphasized that any electoral commission must meet the bar of public credibility. “It’s not enough to be legally appointed; you must be seen to be fair and impartial.”
The bigger Picture: Democracy under threat?
Analysts see this development as part of a broader trend of centralizing power under the guise of unity.
“What we are witnessing is a new form of elite consensus where political competitors strike deals behind closed doors to consolidate power, leaving citizens out in the cold,” asserted Herman Manyora, a political commentator.
He added, “The fusion of former opposition figures into government risks creating a democratic deficit—where no one holds power to account.”
With tensions rising and political temperatures heating up, the People’s United Opposition’s statement appears to signal a new phase of resistance and public mobilization.
“We are determined to overwhelmingly mobilize people to send this rogue regime home and begin the work of reclaiming our country,” declared the statement.