Kalonzo’s Rage and the Mystery of Chebukati’s IEBC Appointment

The ongoing talks between President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza coalition and Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja at Bomas have been marked by tension, drama, and significant revelations.

One notable incident saw Wiper leader and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka lose his temper—a rare occurrence for the usually composed diplomat. Provocation from Kenya Kwanza delegates, who engaged in heckling and name-calling, led to Musyoka’s outburst. At one point, he reportedly told Hassan Omar, “This is why you will never be governor of Mombasa.”

Evidence of Electoral Fraud

Azimio presented evidence alleging that votes were taken from Raila Odinga and added to Ruto’s tally during the 2022 presidential election. An expert demonstrated how the manipulation occurred, leaving Kenya Kwanza delegates visibly agitated.

Azimio also demanded an investigation into how Wafula Chebukati became the Chair of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). According to records, Chebukati ranked near the bottom during the interview process for the position. Yet, he was appointed over higher-scoring candidates, raising questions about political interference.

Questions of Integrity and Regional Balancing

Critics pointed out that at the time of Chebukati’s appointment, the IEBC’s CEO, Ezra Chiloba, also hailed from the same Bukusu community in Western Kenya. This raised concerns about regional balancing and the impartiality of the electoral body.

Kenya Kwanza has resisted calls for an audit of the 2022 elections, even as Azimio continues to push for reforms to restore public trust in the IEBC. However, Azimio argues that meaningful reforms cannot occur without first addressing the flaws in the last election.

The Path Forward

The stakes in these talks are high. Azimio’s strategy appears to focus on presenting evidence that Raila Odinga won the 2022 elections, undermining Ruto’s legitimacy. This has placed immense pressure on Kenya Kwanza, which faces mounting criticism for its governance.

Kenya’s political future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the questions surrounding electoral integrity and justice cannot be ignored.