Lobby Group Demands Fresh IEBC Interviews, Alleges Ruto Loyalists Favoured in Shortlist
Operation Linda Jamii calls for transparency, warns of electoral manipulation ahead of 2027 elections
A civil society group has raised alarm over the ongoing recruitment of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) leadership, accusing the selection panel of political bias and demanding the nullification of the current shortlist.
In a statement issued Thursday, Operation Linda Jamii said the IEBC Selection Panel led by Rev. Dr. Nelson Makanda has compromised the integrity of the process by shortlisting individuals allegedly loyal to the current administration.
“This panel has deliberately shortlisted politically connected individuals, ignoring the constitutional requirement for independence and impartiality,” said Prof. Fred Ogola, the group’s founder.
The group specifically named Mr. Charles Nyachae and Mrs. Joy Mdivo as unfit for the roles of chairperson and commissioner, respectively, citing political ties, ethical concerns, and conflicts of interest.
Controversial Candidates in the Spotlight
According to Operation Linda Jamii, Mr. Nyachae — a former lawmaker and current chair of the Kenya School of Government — is a “recycled bureaucrat” with alleged financial issues, including listings in the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) and unresolved child-support cases.
“How can someone with such serious financial and ethical baggage be considered for such a sensitive role?” Ogola posed, adding that Nyachae’s government ties compromise his impartiality.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Joy Mdivo’s dual role as Chair of the KPLC Board and a key figure in the UDA party’s Electoral Disputes Committee has raised red flags about her neutrality.
“Her current roles represent a textbook conflict of interest,” the statement read, warning that such appointments could erode public trust in the commission.
Legal Hurdles and Court Drama
The group had filed a petition at the High Court in Naivasha to block the shortlist, but Justice Grace Nzioka recused herself due to a conflict of interest — her supervisee, Justice Lorot, was among the applicants for the IEBC chair.
The matter was transferred to the Milimani Law Courts, where Justice Chacha Mwita declined to certify the case as urgent, pushing the next hearing to July 28 — a date that may come after the new chair is sworn in.
“This delay raises serious concerns about the judiciary’s independence,” Prof. Ogola stated, questioning whether political pressure was influencing the courts.
Democracy at Risk?
Operation Linda Jamii warned that these developments represent a broader pattern of executive overreach in the electoral process.
“Election rigging doesn’t begin on polling day. It starts with the unlawful capture of electoral institutions,” Ogola cautioned, urging Kenyans to resist what the group calls “a blatant attempt to hijack democracy.”
The group is now calling for:
- Nullification of the current shortlist
- A new, transparent, and inclusive selection process
- Investigations into the selection panel
- Greater inclusion of youth and persons with disabilities (PWDs)
They concluded with a powerful message:
“Kenya belongs to the people, not one man. If the 2027 elections are compromised, those enabling this process today will bear full responsibility.”
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Lobby Group Demands Fresh IEBC Interviews, Alleges Ruto Loyalists Favoured in Shortlist