The withdrawal of President William Ruto’s long-serving attorney, Katwa Kigen, from the ongoing interviews for commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has sparked a flurry of political speculation, with links being drawn to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
In a previous media appearance, Gachagua claimed that President Ruto had confided in him his ambition to assert full control over both the IEBC and the Supreme Court—strategic institutions vital to safeguarding his political position ahead of the 2027 General Election.
According to Gachagua, Ruto’s intention is to ensure that a compliant IEBC oversees the next polls. While the President’s loyalists have dismissed these remarks as mere propaganda, sources indicate that they were taken seriously within Ruto’s inner circle, prompting a rethink of strategy.
Insiders reveal that President Ruto had initially positioned Kigen for a role within the newly constituted IEBC. However, following the backlash triggered by Gachagua’s statements, the decision was made to withdraw Kigen’s candidacy to avoid further controversy. Kigen has served as Ruto’s legal counsel for many years, including during pivotal legal battles.
While Kigen is widely regarded as qualified for the position, his potential appointment risked fuelling perceptions of nepotism and tribalism, threatening to derail IEBC reforms before they could properly begin. His withdrawal is said to be a move to prevent “unnecessary diversion” from the Commission’s core mandate. Kigen had been scheduled to appear before the IEBC selection panel today, Thursday, 10 April 2025.
Nelson Havi, the former President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), voiced strong reservations about the integrity and accountability of Ruto’s lawyer vying for a role in a commission that will directly influence the President’s own re-election bid. Mr Havi questioned how an individual with over two decades of professional closeness to the Head of State could credibly serve in such a sensitive position.
Kigen is not the only figure under scrutiny, former East Africa Court of Justice judge Charles Nyachae and governance expert Joy Mdivo have also drawn attention for their perceived proximity to the President.
Katwa Kigen, a veteran lawyer, was instrumental in defending Ruto’s 2022 presidential win during the Supreme Court petition. He also represented Ruto at the International Criminal Court (ICC), where he successfully secured the President’s acquittal.
The unfolding scenario highlights the high-stakes political manoeuvring already in motion as the country prepares for the 2027 elections.
