Aasai

The High Court has issued a temporary order halting the vetting of President William Ruto’s nominees for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) until May 29, 2025. This follows a petition filed by activists Kelvin Roy Omondi and Boniface Mwangi, who raised concerns over the legality and transparency of the selection process.

Appearing before Justice Lawrence Mugambi, the petitioners’ lawyer Paul Muite argued that there was inadequate public participation and that the selection process lacked transparency. He claimed that the public was not properly informed and that the selection panel failed in its constitutional duty to ensure fairness and inclusivity.

The petition further alleged that some candidates were irregularly added to the shortlist in unclear circumstances, while others with low interview scores or questionable integrity were still considered. It claims that the nominations violated the Constitution and relevant appointment laws by failing to follow due process.

Additionally, the petitioners criticized the list for lacking regional and ethnic balance and for excluding persons with disabilities. They termed the nomination list as discriminatory, unconstitutional, and unrepresentative of Kenya’s diverse population, urging the court to fully address the violations.