MP Threatens Court Action Over IEBC Panel Changes Amid Growing Tensions
Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo has strongly condemned the sudden addition of six candidates to the initial shortlist for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) positions.
He vowed to take legal action, accusing the selection panel of acting without transparency and violating due process.
Speaking firmly on the matter, the Wiper party senator announced plans to move to court, arguing that the entire selection exercise should be nullified.
Maanzo insists that the IEBC recruitment process must begin afresh, under clear and fair procedures that reflect the will and trust of all Kenyans.
Maanzo, who is also a seasoned advocate of the High Court, emphasized that justice would only be achieved once the recruitment process is done in a fully transparent manner.
“Those six individuals were added to the list during the night under questionable circumstances.
If these names appear on the final shortlist in Parliament, we will reject them. I urge anyone added later to withdraw voluntarily, because their inclusion is unacceptable,” he stated.
He added that he will challenge the process in court and will push for orders to cancel the entire exercise.
“We are not going to back down. We will be in court until we get commissioners who have the confidence of the entire country,” Maanzo declared.
His remarks follow concerns raised on April 9 by the Elections Observation Group (ELOG), which questioned the mysterious addition of six candidates to the list of applicants for the IEBC Chairperson and Commissioner positions.
While ELOG acknowledged that the panel had issued a general explanation for the increase, it criticized the unclear selection procedure and questioned why this method wasn’t used from the start, as outlined by relevant electoral laws and regulations.
Further legal challenges to the process are also underway. On April 8, a group of petitioners, including activist Bob Njagi, Nicholas Oyoo, Felix Wambua, Halima Shariff, Florence Kanyua, Njoroge Wanjigi, and the lobby group Free Kenya Initiatives, filed a petition at the High Court.
They want the shortlisting process halted, arguing that it violates the Constitution—particularly with regard to how public officers were appointed to serve as panelists.
Criticism of President Ruto’s Leadership and China Visit
In addition to concerns about the IEBC selection, Senator Maanzo criticized President William Ruto’s leadership, claiming that many Kenyans have made up their minds not to support him for a second term.
He accused the president of worsening the economic situation in the country and making life increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens.
Maanzo went further to allege that Ruto’s upcoming trip to China is part of a hidden government scheme to borrow funds that would end up being misused by corrupt officials.
“He must go. Kenyans are suffering under his leadership. This China trip is just another way for them to borrow money and loot it.
The loans will come, and the vultures in government will grab everything,” Maanzo claimed.
His comments reflect growing political tension around governance, transparency, and accountability as Kenya continues its search for a new IEBC team that can be trusted to oversee fair elections.
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