Tribunal Puts on Hold Selection of IEBC Commissioners

The Political Parties Tribunal has barred the Azimio la Umoja coalition from forwarding the name of its Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners selection panel nominee to the President.

The tribunal stopped the Raila Odinga-led alliance from submitting the name of Koki Muli to President William Ruto for appointment to the selection panel that will interview and hire members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

This means the process will have to stop until the matter is heard and determined.

Tribunal vice-chairperson Wilfred Wambua prohibited Azimio from forwarding Muli’s name until a case filed by Augustus Muli is heard and determined.

“Pending the hearing and determination of the applicants inter-parties hearing of the application, Azimio la Umoja coalition is prohibited from forwarding the name of Koki to the President for appointment at the selection panel,” Wambua ordered.

In his case, Augustus Muli, a leader of the National Liberal Party, accused Azimio of replacing his name with that of former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka led Wiper Party’s Koki Muli.

He contends that his nomination to the selection panel was reached after a vote taken by constituent parties in an election that was presided over by IEBC officials.

He claimed his name was forwarded by the Political Parties Liaison Committee to the panel after a lawful and procedural process.

In court papers, Augustus Muli accused Azimio secretary general Junet Mohamed and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka of short-changing him and usurping the mandate of the Political Parties Liaison Committee to forward Koki Muli’s name.

He appealed for speedy intervention by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and courts.

President Ruto is expected to gazette the names of the selection panel members to kickstart the process of hiring new IEBC commissioners.