IEBC selection panel delays spark outcry from opposition leaders

Opposition leaders are now demanding the swift gazettement of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel to facilitate the formation of the electoral body.

Led by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his DAP-K counterpart Eugene Wamalwa, the leaders claimed that the delay in forming the IEBC was a deliberate tactic by the State to stifle democracy in the country.

They further referenced last week’s nomination of Dr Koki Muli as Azimio la Umoja's representative on the IEBC selection panel, highlighting that despite forwarding her name to the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) along with eight other nominees, their names have yet to be gazetted.

This is despite a High Court order directing that nominees must be in place by 3pm on October 24.

"We demand immediate gazettement of the IEBC selection panel who should move with speed to put in place the new IEBC. The shenanigans must stop forthwith because delay in having the new IEBC places the future of our democracy at stake," said the opposition leaders.

The leaders further accused National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and National Assembly Clerk Samuel Njoroge of sitting pretty on the nine names instead of forwarding them to President William  Ruto for gazettement.

"The Clerk, together with Speaker Wetangula have refused to forward the names of the nine nominees to the president for gazettement within the stipulated seven days. This is meant to allow the National Liberal Party nominee to move to the Court of Appeal," they said.

They further decried that some constituencies in the country have remained without representation for too long.

At the same time, Kalonzo led the team in calling for President Ruto's resignation for presiding over what they termed a regime that has turned into a police State, thriving on abductions and extrajudicial killings.