Azimio la Umoja leaders have reaffirmed their position that they will not participate in the planned reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
In a 13-point resolution following the conclusion of a two-day meeting in Machakos, the leaders took issue with the procedure adopted by the Kenya Kwanza in seeking to fill the vacant slots.
"Azimio parliamentary group reiterates that it will not participate in the reconstitution of IEBC through the formula and process being proposed by the Kenya Kwanza regime,” the outfit said in a statement.
They have also maintained their position that they do not recognise President William Ruto and his administration.
According to the leaders, Ruto’s administration has put Kenyans in an “existential struggle for survival” with the cost of basic necessities of becoming unbearable.
“This trend must be resisted and reversed and Azimio has resolved to provide the leadership needed to achieve this,” they said.
The opposition has been concerned about the adopted style of picking commissioners being advanced by the ruling administration.
Speaking in Kibra last weekend, coalition leader Raila Odinga said they would not allow Ruto to 'single-handedly' appoint IEBC commissioners.
Raila is calling for joint selection process and decentralisation of the IEBC.
In the IEBC (Amendment) Bill, 2022 which has already been assented into law, the Political Parties Liaison Committee and the Public Service Commission (PSC) will each have one slot in the selection panel.
Parliamentary Service Commission will have two slots-a man and a woman - while the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) will get a slot.
The Inter-religious Council will have two slots while the Parliamentary Service Commission will get a bigger share of four slots.
"These provisions cure that unconstitutionality that was found in the Act by the High Court as petitioned by Okiya Omtatah," majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah who sponsored the bill said.
The exit of IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati, CEO Marjan Hussein and Commissioner Boya Molu following the expiry of their terms and the resignation of three others has left the commission under the management of the secretariat.
A tribunal chaired Judge Aggrey Muchelule is yet to conclude and make public its findings on the conduct of suspended commissioner Irene Masit.
ODM chair John Mbadi said the PSC having a slot may see the executive wing influence the recruitment process of new commissioners.
At the same time, the leaders have issued a warning shot to all its elected leaders against “co-habiting” with the Kenya Kwanza under “whatever pretext” saying they will face disciplinary action.
"In this struggle, we shall not tolerate acts that amount to a betrayal of the dreams and aspirations of the people of Kenya,” the leaders affirmed.
