President William Ruto has referred the recruitment of the IEBC commissioners and chair back to the Parliament.
Addressing the media on Sunday from State House, the President said the process though follows a law created during the regime of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, he made the choice to accommodate the views of the Azimio.
"I have carefully listened to the issues raised by my friend, the Honourable Raila Odinga in times like this, It is not about who is right or who is wrong like Winston Churchill said, I dare say, like, quote, courage is what it takes to stand up and speak," Ruto said.
The President insisted that he is a listener and has always been ready to engage on matters from all walks of life, including elected and appointed leaders from across the political divide.
"On the reconstitution of the future Electoral Commission, the selection panel that currently is in the office is a creation of the law that was passed by the two chambers of parliament in response to a court decision the court clerk clearly stated that one institution, and in this case, Parliament cannot terminate the process of establishing an electoral commission at the expense of other institutions that have a role to play in the country's electoral process," Ruto added.
Opposition Chief Raila Odinga resorted to anti-government rallies which resulted in demonstrations, Mondays and Thursdays.
The demos have resulted in confrontations between the police and Raila supporters, muggings, and looting.
The Opposition demands a lowering of the cost of living and prices of food, and fuel, as well as inclusion in the recruitment of IEBC Commissioners.
IEBC Selection Panel this week received 920 applications for the positions of chairperson and six commissioners.
The Panel's Chairman Nelson Makanda said that out of the applications, 25 submitted applications for chairman while the remaining 895 applied for six commissioners' jobs.
The Panel chairman said they will not shy off to do a re-advert should the 920 fail to inspire the confidence of the panel.
