The recruitment process of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners faces a major hurdle after the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal barred Azimio La Coalition from forwarding the name of Ambassador Koki Muli to President William Ruto for appointment at the selection panel.
The tribunal’s vice chairperson Wilfred Mutuba prohibited Azimio from forwarding the name of Muli until a case filed by Augustus Muli is heard and determined.
“Pending the hearing and determination of the applicant 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 who is a leader of the National Liberal Party (NLP) has accused Azimio of replacing his name with that of Koki
He contends that his candidacy in the selection panel was voted by the constituent parties in an election that was presided over by IEBC officials.
“Azimio conducted elections on July 26, 2024, at Kyaka Hotel in Machakos County for purposes of electing its representatives and the applicant participated as a candidate for the election under a representative from the minority party or coalition of parties,” the court papers state
From the elections, the candidates were declared elected and consequently nominated under the 3 clusters, Evans Misati James (Non Parliamentary political parties) Nicodemus Kipchirchir Bore ( Majority Coalition), and Augustus Kyalo Muli ( Minority Coalition)
According to the petitioner, his name was forwarded by the Political Parties Liaison Committee to the panel after the lawful and procedural process.
In the court papers, the claimant accused Azimio Secretary General Junet Mohamed and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka of short-changing and hijacking the PPLC-led mandate to second the name of Koki.
NLP leader says Azimio has usurped their mandate even as he appealed for a speedy intervention by National Assembly speaker Moses Wetangula and the court to reign in the matter.
President William Ruto is expected to gazette the names of the selection panel members to kick start the hiring process of the electoral commissioners.
