President William Ruto is facing growing criticism after nominating new members to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. The uproar began when reports showed that some of the names on the list are relatives of key political figures such as Junet Mohamed and close allies of Josephat Nanok.
This has raised serious questions about fairness and transparency in public service recruitment, with many Kenyans accusing the government of promoting nepotism instead of selecting candidates based purely on merit.The issue has raised a fierce national conversation.
Some Kenyans have come out to defend the nominations, arguing that being related to a politician does not automatically mean someone is unqualified.
Hillary, a supporter of the appointments, questioned why competent individuals should be denied job opportunities just because of their family ties.
He said, “Should people be denied jobs just because they’re related to someone? If they’re qualified Kenyans, why not?”
This point of view is shared by others like Kirui, who wondered if critics would still be upset if the names involved were connected to opposition leaders such as Kalonzo Musyoka.
For them, the problem is not about fairness but political bias in how people react depending on who is in power.However, not everyone agrees. Timothy voiced his frustration loudly, accusing the government of always favoring the same communities.
“Take your foolishness back to your tribe! Why must it always be the same people while others are excluded?” Hes said.
His reaction shows the depth of ethnic tensions in Kenya and how appointments in government often reignite the feeling that some tribes are always left out.
Agango offered a more realistic and somewhat bitter take. He argued that in Kenya, who you know still matters more than what you know. “Let’s be honest – being someone’s relative or friend gives you a huge advantage in this country,” he said. His comment reflects what many young people have come to believe that success is often linked to connections rather than ability or hard work.
Then there are voices like J Mamake, who have become indifferent to such political debates. “I don’t care if they appoint 10 or 20 relatives my only concern is the ridiculous airport taxes when I travel abroad,” he said.
This kind of comment reveals how some Kenyans have stopped expecting fairness or change and now focus only on issues that affect their personal lives directly.
At the center of all this noise is the future of the IEBC, an institution that plays a critical role in running fair and credible elections.
Whether or not the nominees are qualified, the process has once again exposed the country’s ongoing struggle with nepotism, tribalism, and public distrust.
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