I will defeat you even if you appoint yourself as IEBC chair, Kalonzo tells Ruto

Opposition leaders Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper) and Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K) have slammed President William Ruto for allegedly attempting to control the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) ahead of the 2027 elections.

The two leaders, who spoke on Friday at Nzeluni village in Kitui County during the funeral of the late Kariobangi North MCA Joel Munuve, described the President as a threat to democracy and national stability.

They lamented that Ruto had single-handedly constituted the electoral body without involving the opposition.

They claimed that such an action was a bad signal and an attempt to rig the upcoming presidential election. Wamalwa stated that the constitution of the IEBC should result from broad consultations and consensus with opposition leaders, but regretted that the President had ignored the opposition and acted unilaterally.

The opposition leaders, however, vowed to continue with their agitation, declaring that they will still defeat Ruto regardless of who controls the electoral commission.

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“Ruto has unilaterally appointed the IEBC. He has violated the principle of concurrence. But we are ready for him nevertheless. Ruto must go,” Wamalwa said.

The DAP-K leader, who appeared to support Kalonzo as the opposition’s presidential flagbearer, praised the former Vice President for being selfless and backing ODM leader Raila Odinga in three successive elections.

He said that, in due course, they would demand that Odinga return the favour.

“This time round, we will stand with Kalonzo Musyoka. At the right time, we shall ask Raila to reciprocate the support Kalonzo has given him,” he added.

Kalonzo took the opportunity to affirm his presidential bid, stating that he was not intimidated by President Ruto’s attempts to control the IEBC.

“Even if Ruto appoints himself as chairman of the IEBC, I will still defeat him,” Kalonzo declared.

The two leaders also decried the state of the collapsing economy under President Ruto, with Wamalwa describing him as an existential threat to devolution.

They claimed that Ruto was killing devolution and the economy by allowing the looting of public resources, adding that they will rally Kenyans against bad leadership.“We are waiting for the final report on the cause of his death. If Munuve died a natural death, then we shall accept it,  but if he was poisoned then heads must roll,” stated Kalonzo. 

The funeral was attended by a host of leaders including Kitui Women Representative Irene Kasalu, Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna, Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Ken Ngondi and Deputy Speaker Paul Kados and a host of MCAs.