Kalonzo: Ruto planning to 'rig polls' early

Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka addresses Nyamira residents on March 21, 2024. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has claimed that Kenya Kwanza could be trying to stop the National Dialogue Committee (Nadco) report in order to ‘rig’ new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners.

 According to Kalonzo, plans to frustrate the implementation of the Nadco  report were made while the Bomas talks were ongoing so that Kenya Kwanza could have an advantage in deciding who becomes a commissioner at IEBC, giving the President an upper hand in the 2027 polls.

 He made these statements at the Leopard Beach Hotel in Diani, Kwale County, yesterday during his tour of the coast region, accompanied by Democratic Action Party (DAP-K) party leader Eugene Wamalwa and Wiper Secretary General Ms Shakila Abdalla.

 “It is now clear the court petition was sponsored by Kenya Kwanza,” Kalonzo claimed.

 The Wiper boss alleged that Kenya Kwanza was determined to be the sole selector of new IEBC commissioners, but he quickly noted that such a move would be strongly opposed by the Azimio leadership.

 “This is a pre-rigging strategy by Kenya Kwanza. We want Raila Odinga and William Ruto to intervene and provide guidance on the report,” said Kalonzo.

 He stated that the Nadco process was adopted due to a political crisis in the country that led to demonstrations and deaths, warning that Kenyans may return to the streets if the report is not implemented.

 “The scheme by Kenya Kwanza operatives is unacceptable. We are prepared to return to the streets,” warned Kalonzo.

 He expressed shock over the sale of fake fertilizer to farmers, claiming that the government has been deceiving Kenyans.

 “We are surprised that the government has failed to conduct surveillance and stop the sale of fake fertilizer. This amounts to deceiving Kenyans,” argued Kalonzo.

 He also criticized the government for depriving media houses of revenue by withdrawing direct advertisements in favour of a few, stating that this must be condemned by all Kenyans.

Wamalwa claimed that the petition against the Nadco report was state-sponsored litigation.

 The former Defense Cabinet Secretary said he was one of those who refused to endorse the Nadco report at Bomas because the main issues, including the cost of living, were not addressed.

 “I was one of those who refused to sign the report because the main issues like cost of living were not addressed. That’s why after we left Bomas, the government continued to increase taxes. The petition against the report was state-sponsored litigation,” Wamalwa added. He Kenya has become a ‘wash-wash’ country, as the government was distributing fake products.