Azimio demands action on IEBC selection panel, accuses Speaker of delay

ODM leaders address the media after the County Chairpersons meeting in Nairobi on October 30, 2024. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Wednesday demanded the gazettement of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel.

In a press briefing in Nairobi, coalition leaders voiced concern over delays in forming the electoral body, warning of “serious political ramifications if this persists.” They highlighted Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s ongoing impeachment case, arguing that the IEBC is not fully constituted to clear any replacement if the courts upholds the impeachment.

“We demand that the IEBC selection panel be gazetted urgently to establish a new IEBC,” stated Democratic Action Party leader Eugene Wamalwa.

The opposition criticised Parliament for failing to forward the IEBC selection nominees to President William Ruto.

Azimio accused National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula of delaying the process.

“The Speaker and Clerk have refused to forward the nine names for gazettement within the required seven days,” Wamalwa added.

Meanwhile, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka slammed the State over what he described as state-sanctioned abductions and killings, calling for President Ruto’s resignation.

“The most alarming is that public mortuaries in Thika and Nairobi are requesting court orders to dispose of 201 unclaimed dead bodies that the police have dropped off in the past year,” he said.

Kalonzo also criticised telecommunications companies for allegedly aiding the police with individual's personal data that is then used to track down, harass, and abduct Kenyans perceived to be opposed to government policies.

"We condemn all telecommunications companies, including Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom Kenya, as well as any Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), for illegally providing location records and data to security agents. Please be aware that you, too, will be held criminally culpable and responsible for Kenyan harassment, abduction, and extrajudicial killings," he said.