Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has criticized the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for advertising tenders despite lacking a substantive commission, raising concerns about transparency and governance.
Speaking during the launch of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) headquarters in Karen, Musyoka alleged that IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan is receiving instructions from former IEBC Commissioner Boya Molu, now serving as Public Service Commission Chairman.
“They have already put a tender to procure in the next three years without a substantive IEBC in place. It’s already on their website, and they are in a hurry,” Musyoka claimed.
The IEBC website lists tenders for the supply and delivery of non-strategic materials reserved for women, youth, and persons with disabilities, alongside tenders for branded field notebooks and dummy ballot papers for training designated for citizen contractors.
Critical decisions at the IEBC, Musyoka argued, require approval from commissioners, whose absence has paralyzed key operations at the electoral body. He vowed that the Opposition coalition would block any critical decisions made by the Marjan-led secretariat.
“We are telling the IEBC secretariat, you will not move one step. We will come for you if you try to do this. You must wait for a properly constituted IEBC,” he warned.
The accusations come as the newly sworn-in IEBC selection panel begins the process of filling vacant commissioner positions left by the Wafula Chebukati-led team in January 2023. Chief Justice Martha Koome swore in the nine-member panel following a High Court ruling that dismissed claims of exclusion and lack of inclusivity in its composition.
Musyoka, who has declared his intention to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 elections, accused the ruling party of attempting to manipulate future polls. “We cannot afford these people to manipulate, steal, or mess up the 2027 polls,” he said, criticizing remarks by Ruto allies about their electoral influence.
