Top political coalitions in the country Cord and Jubilee have filed petitions against some applicants for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners position.
Details of the four petition emerged on Monday, with most of them made in regards to former political associations of the applicants.
The petitioners protested against the inclusion of Oliver Kisaka Simiyu who is a former office bearer at National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK). Cord's CEO Norman Magaya faulted NCCK's Canon Karanja for not disclosing that Kisaka had been his deputy.
"It is even more disturbing that Canon Karanja never bothered to own up to the rest of the membership of the panel that he conflicted on this specific matter,” Magaya told the panel. “It is expected this conspiracy of silence will continue to the interview process.”
Another petitioner Mutakha Kangu also contested that both the shortlisted Chairman and Commissioner have worked before as Raila Odinga's think tank.
A petitioner calling himself Jawabu Kenya also quoted Miguna Miguna's book, peeling back the mask to back his claims that Mr Mutakha worked for Raila.
“Some of those Mr Miguna lists as long-term strategists of Mr Odinga include Prof Edward Oyugi, Mr Oduor Ong'wen, Mr Mugambi Imanyara, Mr Mutakha Kangu, Dr Adhu Awiti, Prof Peter Wanyande, Mr Salim Lone and Mr Nabii Nabwera,” he said.
Cord Ceo Magaya, in another petition also claimed shortlisted candidate Ismail Buro Hassan shares close ties with MP Aden Duale and is an in-law of Garissa Senator Yusuf Hajji.
“These close family ties make it impossible for Mr Ismail Buro Hassan to act as Commissioner of IEBC, a position that requires absolute fidelity to impartiality. The perception of bias cannot be resisted on this matter,” Magaya said.
Magaya also contested the inclusion of Ibrahim Wako Boru saying he has been involved in graft cases in the past.