Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has announced plans by the United Opposition to privately prosecute Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission officials over alleged irregularities in recent byelections. Speaking in Murang’a, he accused the government of colluding with the electoral body to influence results in Mbeere and Malava. The move aims to curb impunity ahead of the 2027 elections.
On December 9, 2025, in Ithanga, Murang’a, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka addressed mourners at the funeral of Herbert Kariithi Macharia, where he outlined the United Opposition's strategy against perceived electoral misconduct. Musyoka targeted IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon and CEO Hussein Marjan, alleging they facilitated fraud in the Mbeere and Malava byelections.
He highlighted irregularities in Mbeere, where United Democratic Alliance candidate Leo Wamuthende was declared the winner despite questions over his identity. "How would the chairperson clear someone whose name is not even known? They do not know until now the name of the man who won in Mbeere. He announced his name only to turn up to be elected and declared the winner. The IEBC chair is culpable; you do not clear a fellow like that, that is fraud," Musyoka stated.
Musyoka claimed the current IEBC comprises President William Ruto's loyalists, enabling state interference to sway outcomes. He emphasized that private prosecution is necessary since the government would not act against its own appointees. "We will go for private prosecution because we know Ruto cannot prosecute Ethekon and the CEO Marjan. All that is going on there will put an end and a permanent seal on them," he added.
The opposition leader assured Kenyans of vigilance for the 2027 general elections, vowing to end such criminal acts. "We want to assure Kenyans that there will be no interference with the upcoming 2027 polls. We will now target the chairperson of IEBC as we know it is a Ruto commission," Musyoka said.
At the event, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua echoed concerns, alleging government surveillance to sow discord in the Mt Kenya region. Musyoka dismissed narratives of opposition divisions as state propaganda, stressing unity against electoral manipulation.