‘Let us not oppose everything’: Wetangula defends IEBC recruitment process

Political leaders led by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula have defended the ongoing Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) recruitment process, urging Kenyans to remain objective and resist attempts to politicize constitutionally established institutions.

Speaking during a fundraising event at the St. Michaels Kamelilo School in Nandi County on Sunday, Wetang’ula, underscored the importance of shielding national processes from what he described as partisan manipulation.

“This process is being handled by the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) of Parliament. If any Kenyan has a memorandum or concern, let them submit it to the committee. The President is not appointing Commissioners, he is simply part of a constitutional process,” said Wetang’ula.

“Parliament has the ultimate authority to either approve or reject the nominees. Let us not fall into the habit of opposing everything simply because it wasn’t our idea.” Said the Speaker

Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah dismissed “tribal narratives” being used to contest the IEBC appointments.

“Politics won’t be won through tribal politics. We must mature as a democracy and look at issues through a national lens,” he asserted.

On his part, National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro called out constant complaints directed at government development efforts, terming them unconstructive.

“The President is a worker, but some people complain no matter what. When someone says they are speaking for Kenyans, you must ask, which Kenyans? This IEBC isn’t conducting elections today, it’s just a referee. Let the systems work,” he said.

Tinderet MP Julius Melly meanwhile dismissed claims that the IEBC process is skewed, saying, “The recruitment process has checks and balances. It has nothing to do with the President. Let’s stop misleading Kenyans.”

President William Ruto last week nominated Erastus Edung Ethekon as the new IEBC Chairperson to succeed Wafula Chebukati who died in February this year.

Ruto also nominated six IEBC Commissioners from various regions, among them Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu (Nyandarua).

The others are: Moses Alutalala Mukhwana (Kakamega), Mary Karen Sorobit (Uasin Gishu), Hassan Noor Hassan (Mandera), Francis Odhiambo Aduol (Kisumu), and Fahima Araphat Abdallah (Lamu).