Kalonzo, opposition group cry foul, accuse Raila and Ruto of early campaigning

The political landscape has grown more fractious as opposition leaders, led by Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, and Eugene Wamalwa, accused President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga of engaging in premature electioneering.

The opposition faction, now branding itself the ‘People’s Loyal Coalition’, held a press conference at Nairobi’s Serena Hotel on Tuesday April 1, 2025, where they lambasted the government for what they described as an orchestrated attempt to rig the 2027 general election through a compromised electoral commission selection process and illicit early campaigns.

In a joint statement, the leaders claimed that the ongoing recruitment of commissioners to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was being manipulated to serve the interests of Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) parties.

Concerns over IEBC recruitment

The opposition coalition expressed deep concern over the ongoing recruitment of IEBC commissioners, accusing the Ruto administration of attempting to manipulate the process to ensure a favourable outcome in the next general election.

They claim the shortlisting process has excluded qualified individuals while including those with questionable credentials and partisan affiliations.

“Quite a number of those who made the list have questionable credentials and clearly demonstrated partisan interests in the UDA party and the ODM party. There are serious allegations of integrity and grave inherent conflict of interest,” part of the statement read.

Specifically, the coalition highlighted the inclusion of Joy Midivo, the chairperson of the UDA Internal Dispute Resolution Committee and Ruto’s personal advocate, Katwa Kigen, questioning their eligibility and impartiality.

They also raised concerns about the involvement of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) in the selection process.

“We challenge the IEBC Selection Panel to categorically explain how Ms. Midivo, Katwa Kigen were shortlisted, and the role, if any, of the NIS in the process,” the statement demanded.

The coalition called for the implementation of the Principle of Consultation and Concurrence between Ruto, Raila, and the opposition before the final appointment of commissioners.

Early campaigning

The opposition group also accused Ruto and Raila of engaging in early and violent campaigning, particularly in Nairobi.

They claimed that Ruto’s rallies were accompanied by marauding gangs who engaged in robbery and mugging under police protection.

“Following the unholy union of UDA and ODM, Mr Ruto launched an aggressive campaign in Nairobi, accompanied by UDA and ODM officials. The disruptive early campaigns featured marauding gangs who went on robbing and mugging sprees against unsuspecting Kenyans going about their everyday routine, under police protection,” People’s Loyal Coalition claimed.

The opposition also criticized what they called Ruto’s false promise of creating and distributing millions of free chapatis to Kenyans.

“Mr Ruto also illegally exploited public resources to mobilise the paid- up masses. The phoney display of support failed miserably, and the preposterous fake promises of creating and distributing millions of free “chapatis” to Kenyans did not quell the people’s rage against the discredited leadership. It begs the question that is being asked across the country: “How desperate and to what new lows will this regime sink to?”

They further warned against the spread of vile and violent politics to the Mt. Kenya region during Ruto’s ongoing tour of the region.

“As the Ruto regime prepares to invade the Mount Kenya region with their misguided brand of politics, we demand that common decency, basic courtesy, civility, and decorum–terms they appear unfamiliar with–replace their vile and violent brand of politics, which they recently introduced in Nairobi.

“We also call on all citizens of Mount Kenya region to remain peaceful and patient and not to be goaded by the bad, inciteful and hateful behaviour of the discredited regime,” they said.

Nairobi River corridor plan

The coalition also expressed strong reservations about the Nairobi City County’s declaration of the Nairobi River Corridor as a Special Planning Area (SPA), arguing that it would affect private property and alter the city’s demographics.

They asserted that the conversion of private land to public land is the National Land Commission’s (NLC) responsibility, not the county government’s.

“We categorically state that this move will change the political and demographical arrangement of Nairobi and must not be taken lightly,” the statement declared, vowing to challenge the decision in court and on the streets.