Members of parliament (MPs) from Ukambani region have opposed the list of new Independent Electoral and Boundaries (IEBC) commissioners, appointed by president William Ruto early this week.

Led by Wiper party national organising secretary and Kathiani MP Robert Mbui and Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo, the leaders said that the president did not consult the opposition while appointing the new IEBC team.   

Speaking in Matungulu constituency, Machakos County on Saturday May 10, 2025 during a burial ceremony, the leaders alleged that the president single handedly picked the commissioners, a move that has raised concerns over the 2027 election credibility.

According to Robert Mbui, nepotism played a central role during the appointment of the new IEBC commissioners and the opposition will challenge the matter in the court.

At the same time, Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo urged the Kenyan youth to register as voters for massive voting in 2027.

This was after President Ruto nominated Erastus Edung Ethekon as the new chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei in a statement on May 8, 2025, said President Ruto nominated Edung as the new IEBC Chairperson while also naming six other Kenyans who have been nominated to serve as members of the electoral commission.

The nominated commissioners include Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol and Fahima Araphat Abdallah.

Koskei explained that the nominations have been forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration and approval, in accordance with the IEBC Act as well as the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act (Chapter 7F, Laws of Kenya).