Ruto and Raila’s Hidden Hands Behind New IEBC Nominees Exposed

The game is rigged. Behind the smiles and handshakes, a quiet plot is unfolding to control Kenya’s 2027 elections.

President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga, sworn rivals in public, are now accused of having hidden hands in the nomination of the new IEBC nominees—a move that critics say is nothing short of a political heist.

At least five out of the seven people picked by President Ruto to steer the next elections have deep ties to either the Head of State or Raila Odinga’s political machinery.

This has sparked outrage, suspicion, and warnings of a looming electoral crisis. But is this just another political tussle or a carefully calculated scheme to predetermine the outcome of 2027?

How the New IEBC Nominees Are Tied to Ruto and Raila’s 2027 Strategy

President Ruto’s nomination of Erastus Edung Ethekon as the new IEBC chair raised eyebrows immediately. Ethekon, a former Turkana County attorney, is seen by many as more than a legal expert—he is viewed as a loyalist with a direct line to State House.

Alongside him, the president appointed Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Prof. Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah as commissioners.

But behind the official titles lies a troubling pattern. Critics argue that several nominees have either worked closely with President Ruto or have family and political connections to Raila Odinga’s inner circle.

One of the commissioners, insiders reveal, is even related to a powerful figure in Raila’s team. This convergence of political interests is fueling fears that the IEBC, the body tasked with overseeing free and fair elections, is being transformed into a puppet of the political elite.

Opposition leaders were quick to sound the alarm. Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka blasted the appointments as partisan and illegal.

“We are extremely concerned that Dr.Ruto chose to be partisan by ignoring the principle of consultation and concurrence in his recommendations of the chairman and members of the IEBC,” Kalonzo said.

He warned that the new appointments had already “created a low-trust institution” and accused Ruto of plotting to rig not only the 2027 elections but also upcoming by-elections.

A Broken Promise on Consultation

One of the key criticisms of the new IEBC nominees is that President Ruto ignored the agreement struck through the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO). The NADCO report, which was hammered out between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio leaders, recommended that new commissioners be appointed through consultation and concurrence to ensure neutrality.

Yet Ruto went ahead with unilateral appointments. “He ignored our agreement. He ignored consultation. Ruto wants to be a player and the referee at the same time,” Kalonzo told mourners at the funeral of Kariobangi North MCA Joel Munuve. His words struck a chord across the political divide.

Ruto’s move not only sidelined Azimio but also undermined the spirit of bipartisan dialogue that followed last year’s protests over electoral reforms. By rejecting a consultative approach, critics argue, Ruto has set the stage for another disputed election, planting seeds of division even before campaigns begin.

A Calculated Capture of the Referee

The nomination of loyalists is more than political favoritism—it is a power strategy. With control over the IEBC, both Ruto and Raila stand to benefit from an electoral body less likely to challenge irregularities.

Political observers note that while Raila appears critical of the appointments, some of his allies have quietly endorsed them, signaling a backdoor understanding. One nominee previously served as a legal adviser to Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC party, now part of Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Another nominee is tied to Raila’s political orbit through family connections. “This is not a coincidence. This is the capture of the electoral process through appointments that guarantee loyalty to the political class,” said a Nairobi-based political analyst who requested anonymity.

Kenyans are watching closely. Many fear that the IEBC’s credibility, already battered by past elections, is being buried under political deals that put partisan interests above democracy. “We are heading into 2027 with an electoral commission that answers to the highest bidder,” warned the analyst.

Opposition Vows to Defeat Ruto Despite New IEBC Nominees

Despite the odds, Kalonzo and other opposition leaders are preparing for battle. “He can as well go ahead and appoint himself as the chairman of IEBC, but we will still send him home in 2027,” Kalonzo declared, vowing to mobilize Kenyans to resist any electoral manipulation.

The opposition plans to release a comprehensive statement next week outlining its strategy. Behind the scenes, Azimio leaders are weighing legal options, public protests, and international advocacy to challenge the appointments.

But time is not on their side. With each passing day, the New IEBC Nominees move closer to assuming office, setting the stage for an electoral showdown in 2027 that could mirror or even surpass the disputes of 2007 and 2017.

Meanwhile, faith in the electoral process continues to erode. Civic groups warn that unless the appointments are reversed or subjected to public scrutiny, Kenya risks sliding into a pre-election crisis marked by protests, mistrust, and political instability.

The Stakes Could Not Be Higher

For both Ruto and Raila, 2027 is not just another election—it is a fight for political survival. Ruto seeks a second term to cement his legacy, while Raila, nearing the twilight of his political career, is determined to secure what has long eluded him: the presidency.

The battle over the New IEBC Nominees is thus not merely about who runs the electoral commission; it is about who controls the levers of power in Kenya’s fragile democracy.

As Kenyans brace for what lies ahead, one thing is clear: the independence of the IEBC is under siege. And unless bold steps are taken to reclaim it, the 2027 elections may already be lost—long before the first vote is cast.