The declaration of impending vacancies in IEBC has presented a new battleground for Azimio LA Umoja Coalition and Kenya Kwanza Party.
President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga want their vested interests well protected in the electoral agency ahead of 2027 elections.
The two are already at war even before the retiring process of the commissioners is made. The tension that is rising is feared it will get messy when the actual process of replacement will kick off.
In a special gazette notice, the president declared impending vacancies for the 3 commissioners who will retire early next year. This will Pave Way For recruitment of new commissioners to replace them.
The 3 commissioners whose terms end on January seventeenth are Chairman Wafula Chebukati, Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye.
Paul Mwangi Raila’s lawyer questioned the declaration claiming it is premature and rushed, alerting an impending clash between the President and Raila.
Paul Mwangi said there is nothing like an impending vacancy adding that recruitment process only begins when there is a vacancy.
President should appoint a seven-member recruitment panel 6 months before the lapsing of the term of the chairperson or members of the Commission according to IEBC act to commence the process.
On the other hand Kalonzo has termed the Gazette Notice “irregular”.
Another battlefield for Ruto-Raila battle is taking shaping at the Parliament and will explode once Kenya Kwanza team files a petition to oust Juliana Cherera and her team of commissioners.
MP Mohammed Ali, confessed he will push for ousting of Cherera and her team who, he claimed, almost set the country ablaze due to their selfishness.
Nyandarua Senator had already moved a motion to discuss the conduct of the four but was postponed.
MP for Alego Usonga Atandi said Azimio will defend the 4 from any petition to fire them adding the government should not be victimize them. He added that Azimio will block any petition to oust them.
Wandayi who leads Azimio in the National Assembly dared Kenya Kwanza to bring on the petition against the 4 commissioners.
Kalonzo too weighed in on the matter demanding that the four be left to complete their terms. Nobody should dare touch the four commissioners.
