Senator Declares Six IEBC Nominees Unfit, Vows to Stop the Process
Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo has announced his intention to pursue legal action over what he calls a compromised and opaque recruitment process by the IEBC Selection Panel.
Maanzo, a seasoned lawyer and member of the Wiper Democratic Movement, declared he would file a court petition challenging the latest move by the panel to include six new names in the shortlist of candidates. The additions, made under unclear circumstances, have drawn sharp criticism and risk derailing the already delayed reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Speaking to the media, Maanzo described the additions as suspicious and conducted in secrecy.
“These six individuals were brought in at night. If they are presented to Parliament as part of the final list, we will reject them entirely. Those who were added late should voluntarily withdraw because we won’t accept them,” he stated.
Legal Challenge Looms Over IEBC Shortlist
Maanzo emphasized that he would move to court to seek the abolishment of the entire selection process, calling for a fresh start under a more transparent framework. He maintained that until the recruitment is handled openly and fairly, the legitimacy of the new commissioners will remain in doubt.
“We’ll be in court until we get commissioners whom all Kenyans can trust,” Maanzo insisted.
This development follows concerns raised by the Elections Observation Group (ELOG), which flagged the sudden inclusion of six additional candidates in the IEBC recruitment process. In a statement released on April 9, ELOG acknowledged that while the panel had announced the expansion of the list and gave general reasons, the criteria used lacked clarity and seemed inconsistent with the original guidelines.
“Concerns remain over the procedure used to select the extra names and why this method wasn’t employed from the outset, as required by law,” read part of the ELOG statement.
High Court Petition Adds Pressure
Even before Maanzo’s declaration, a group of activists had already filed a petition at the High Court on April 8, seeking to halt the shortlisting process. The petition alleged constitutional violations, particularly regarding the inclusion of certain public officers as panel members.
The suit was filed by activist Bob Njagi and fellow petitioners Nicholas Oyoo, Felix Wambua, Halima Shariff, Florence Kanyua, Njoroge Wanjigi, and the Free Kenya Initiatives lobby group.
Together, these legal challenges could significantly delay the appointment of new IEBC commissioners and further complicate Kenya’s electoral preparedness.
Maanzo Links China Trip to Graft
Beyond the IEBC selection scandal, Senator Maanzo took aim at President William Ruto’s planned trip to China, accusing the government of using the foreign visit as a cover for corruption.
“This China trip is nothing but a scheme to secure loans meant for looting. These funds will end up in the hands of government cronies,” Maanzo alleged.
He also claimed that the Kenyan public has made up its mind to deny Ruto a second term in office due to widespread dissatisfaction with his administration.
“He must go. Life has become unbearable for the average Kenyan,” said Maanzo.
Mounting Pressure on Ruto’s Administration
As both the legal and political temperatures rise, the IEBC selection scandal may become a defining issue in the coming months. With growing calls for accountability and fairness, the government’s ability to oversee credible institutions is under intense public scrutiny.
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Senator Declares Six IEBC Nominees Unfit, Vows to Stop the Process
