National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged the opposition and the public to approach the ongoing process of appointing IEBC commissioners with objectivity and respect for constitutional procedures.
Speaking in Nandi, Wetang’ula stated that Parliament holds the final authority in either approving or rejecting the nominees, and warned against the growing trend of political opposition for its own sake.
“Parliament has the ultimate authority to either approve or reject the nominees,” said Wetangu’ula.
“Let us not fall into the habit of opposing everything simply because it wasn’t our idea.”
While defending President William Ruto, the speaker clarified that the President’s role in the appointments is part of a constitutionally mandated process and not an overreach of power.
“The President is not appointing commissioners; he is simply part of a constitutional process,” he noted.
Wetang’ula further pointed out that the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) is overseeing the vetting process, and encouraged any Kenyan with concerns to present their views formally.
“This process is being handled by the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament.
If any Kenyan has a memorandum or concern, let them submit it to the committee,” he stated.
Wetang'ula has formally started the parliamentary approval process for new leadership at the commission.
The action follows Ruto's submission of nominees to fill the vacant positions of chairperson and six commissioners. He nominated Erastus Edung Ethekon for the position of chairperson and six others for commissioner roles.
They are Ann Njeri Nderitu (Nyandarua), Moses Alutalala Mukhwana (Kakamega), Mary Karen Sorobit, (Uasin Gishu), Hassan Noor Hassan (Mandera), Francis Odhiambo Aduol (Kisumu) and Fahima Araphat Abdallah (Lamu).
The list of nominees, received by the speaker's office last Friday.
The Speaker’s remarks come amid rising concerns surrounding the appointments, with some led by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka questioning the transparency and fairness of the process.
He claimed he wrote letters to both the president and ODM Raila Odinga seeking for concurrence over the matter.
"We are extremely concerned that Ruto chose to be partisan by ignoring the principle of consultation and concurrence in his recommendation of the chairman and members of the IEBC. This action has automatically created a low-trust institution," Kalonzo said.
