The National Liberal Party (Kenya) party leader Augustus Kyalo Muli on Monday blamed Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper party for the hurdle that has halted the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Speaking in a morning show on Citizen TV, Muli explained the refusal by the Wiper Party to approve his election to the selection panel and instead fronting Koki Muli as his replacement is what led him to challenge the decision in court.
The NLP party leader maintained that the elections were held according to Section 2(b) of the first schedule of the IEBC Amendment Act 2024 in which he emerged victorious.
“An election was held in the Azimio Coalition involving all the 23 parties and I won 16 against Koki Muli who got 7. It's clear nobody has ever challenged the elections,” he stated emphasising that no one has replaced him.
According to him, his election was credible as the political party liaison committee facilitated an election that was supervised by the IEBC.
Augustus noted that the Wiper Party wanted to short-change his victory and have Koki Muli, whom he defeated, installed on the selection panel. He, however, vowed to hold the position because he won through a proper election.
“I won square and fair. I was issued with a certificate. I am the only one who has a certificate so nobody else has any authority to say that they are selected in the selection panel,” he asserted.
He linked the refusal to approve his name to powerful vested interests in the elite political class. “We know very well that the Wiper leader wants to be a presidential candidate in 2027 and that’s why he wants to be the only person that goes to the selection panel,” he said.
The NLP boss blasted Kalonzo for misleading Kenyans insisting that his party is responsible for the delay in the appointment of the selection panel that will oversee the reconstitution of IEBC.
“I think it’s time for leaders to become responsible and stop fooling Kenyans. Simply because one has a microphone and media attention, he should not go cheating Kenyans because we do not have a chance to respond,” he stated.
This came after civil society groups raised objections in an attempt to replace Augustus Muli. Led by Musili Kauta of the Centre for Progressive Leadership and Musembi Kitavi of Kitui Peace Economic Front, the civil groups questioned Wiper’s party insistence to replace Augustus who won the elections.
There has been a lot of pressure on the government to reconstitute the electoral body. However, the government has defended itself by pointing a pending court case has blocked the process.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Sunday while commenting on the issue called on parties involved in the case to reach an out-of-court settlement to facilitate the reconstitution of the Commission.
