Raila Odinga, the leader of Azimio la Umoja, has requested that the four IEBC commissioners who disagreed with the outcome of the presidential election on August 9 abstain from appearing in front of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) for a hearing on four petitions brought against them.
The issues the four are currently facing—IEBC Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera, commissioners Irine Masit, Justus Nyangaya, and Francis Wanderi—are, in Mr. Odinga's opinion, a part of the current administration's strategy to sway the 2027 elections.
"This investigation is politically motivated; it is part of Ruto's witch-hunt objective. In the interest of constitutionality and the rule of law, we advise the commissioners to boycott it, according to Odinga.
The Ruto government, according to him, is keen to replace the four commissioners with individuals who will support their success in the elections of 2027.
The former prime minister charged in the same speech that the two Houses of Parliament had taken part in the alleged takeover of Kenya's election body.
He proclaimed on Thursday, accompanied by Martha Karua and Makau Mutua, "We call on two houses of Parliament to stand firm and not to be part of what is happening."
"By calling these commissioners, Parliament is assuming the function of a tribunal; they are attempting to sway the outcome of any tribunal that might be established. The only function of Parliament must be to call the commissioners and determine whether the problems being addressed require the creation of a tribunal.
No commissioner was found to have violated any electoral laws during the hearing of Azimio's petition over the election, according to the former premier.
Odinga asserted that only Wafula Chebukati, the chairman of the Commission, was discovered to have operated alone.
Since his camp conceded the election in August, the opposition leader claims, the UDA administration has been on a path of vengeance and impunity, targeting institutions and people who did not toe the line.
Institutions and people who the regime believes did not dance to its tune enough during the campaigns are their target, he continued.
Additionally, Mr. Odinga asserted that the Ruto administration has targeted people it thinks won't likely dance to its tune in 2027.
On Thursday, the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee of the National Assembly was slated to hear the petitions filed against the four.
The committee is anticipated to consider the petition for four days before adjourning to decide the future of the foursome.
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