Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that Charles Nyachae, the chair of the Council of the Kenya School of Government, was the other name handed to President William Ruto for consideration as the next chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). 

President Ruto settled on Erastus Edung Ethekon; however, Gachagua now claimed that this is simply because the Head of State could not accept having Nyachae in the highly influential role of IEBC Chairperson.

Speaking during an interview with Egesa FM on Monday morning, Gachagua alleged that unresolved conflicts between Ruto and Nyachae's late father, Simeon Nyachae, drove the decision not to nominate him.

“We have received reports from the panel that Charles Nyachae was the top contender for the IEBC chair seat. The president was given two names, and he dismissed Nyachae," Gachagua alleged.

A photo of Charles Nyachae, one of the candidates shortlisted for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson position, speaking at a past event.

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Kenya School of Government

"I have been told that the President has a problem with the Abagusii community because the late Simeon Nyachae beat him in South Mugirango, which is why he has a problem with this community and thus did not pick Charles Nyachae."

Furthermore, Gachagua expressed his own preference for Nyachae, stating that he had garnered more experience than the eventual nominee, Ethekon.

According to Gachagua, Nyachae's experience as the chair of the implementation of the constitution commission and a judge at the East African Court of Justice made him the perfect candidate.

He further noted that Nyachae's own wealth and prominence would have helped in his performance of the job without outside interference.

"If Charles Nyachae had been selected, Kenyans would have been content because he is known and he has his own wealth, not someone who can be enticed with money," he claimed.

"Secondly, he has a proven track record that he can do the job as needed. He was the chairman for the implementation of the constitution, and he did very well. He has been a judge at the East African Court of Justice."

As for the nominated chair, Ethekon, the former DP revealed that he was an employee of former Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok, who had a clear relationship with the president, further claiming that some IEBC decisions might be made in the State House as a result.

On May 8, Ruto nominated the little-known Ethekon for the chairperson seat, slighting popular contenders like former Chief Registrar of the judiciary Anne Amadi and Nyachae.

Six members were also nominated to serve as commissioners, including Registrar of Political Parties Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah.

They are yet to be vetted and sworn in before they can be fully appointed to the commission. The claims from Gachagua come amid pressure to release the report from the Selection Panel, which at the moment remains at the State House. 

The Head of State has not commented on why he settled on Ethekon to lead IEBC; however, those allied to him say he is qualified for the job and should be approved by the National Assembly.

IEBC Chairperson position nominee Erastus Edung Ethekon during a past event.

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Judiciary