In a statement issued on Tuesday, Karua wondered why the two deputy CEOs who served under the former IEBC CEO were overlooked in favour of Ledama, who was not publicly known to be next in the line of succession.
She said the appointment sends the wrong signal at a time when public confidence in the electoral body remains fragile.
“Why would an institution bypass its own established hierarchy without a clear and convincing explanation?” Karua asked.
“The IEBC must not only act within the law but also be seen to respect internal structures and principles of fairness.”
Ledama’s appointment comes as the commission attempts to steady itself following the exit of the former CEO, a period marked by political pressure and heightened scrutiny over the IEBC’s preparedness for future electoral processes.
However, Karua cautioned that decisions made during such a sensitive transition must be transparent and grounded in procedure to avoid suspicion.
She further noted that the IEBC has previously emphasised institutional continuity and professionalism, principles she believes should have guided the selection of an acting CEO.
According to Karua, ignoring experienced deputies who are already familiar with the commission’s operations risks undermining stability within the secretariat.
The former Justice Minister also linked the issue to broader concerns about accountability in key state institutions, saying Kenyans have a right to question appointments that appear irregular.
“Elections are the backbone of our democracy. Any action that weakens trust in the referee must be interrogated,” she said.
The IEBC has yet to issue a detailed public explanation on why Ledama was preferred over the deputies.
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