Kalonzo Demands For Talks With Raila, Ruto On IEBC Reconstitution
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has invited President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to be included in the reorganization of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
In a letter to Ruto and Raila dated Friday, March 28, he asked them to engage the opposition in substantive conversations.
He also believes that the duo should communicate with the opposition to boost public trust in the IEBC and promote justice and inclusivity in the process.
“I firmly believe that the United Democratic Alliance(UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), now aligned on one side, should engage in discussion with those of us in the opposition to ensure a balanced and inclusive process.”
“This position is informed by the principles of checks and balance, good governance, and sound public policy,” the statement reads.
My letter to Rt Hon @RailaOdinga and President @WilliamsRuto on the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). ^SKM pic.twitter.com/ebZS8zxXlc
— Kalonzo Musyoka (@skmusyoka) March 28, 2025
Kalonzo cautioned that failing to do so would result in choices that benefited primarily the UDA and ODM, causing Kenyans to lose trust in the IEBC.
He also advised Ruto and Raila to learn from their mistakes and focus on initiatives that will ensure elections are free, fair, verifiable, and credible.
“I write to you on a matter of national importance and urgency,” part of the letter reads.
“As we prepare for the next election, it is imperative that we, in utmost good faith, now draw lessons from our history and previous commitment to invest in actions and processes that will guarantee free and fair, verifiable, and credible elections.”
Kalonzo went on to say that since the UDA and ODM pact, it is necessary to define who would engage in this critical consultative process and occurrence.
He warned that excluding the opposition from the decision would be a replay of past blunders that resulted in disputed elections and post-election unrest in 2007/08.
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“Such an approach would also revive a dangerous precedent that contributed to the disputed elections and the post-election violence of 2007/08.”
“This kind of politics risks plunging the nation into turmoil, jeopardising the well-being of the people of Kenya, and testing our national unity and statehood,” he noted.
Kalonzo said that this approach is consistent with the values and principles enshrined in Kenya’s Constitution (2010).
It is also consistent with the best practices established by the Inter-parliamentary Political Group in 1997, which helped to boost the credibility of the 2002 elections.
Kalonzo Demands For Talks With Raila, Ruto On IEBC Reconstitution
