Published on April 25, 2025 by Agencies for Kenya Online News
Last Updated on 1 year by Agencies for Kenya Online News
Interviews to select chairperson and six commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) have been concluded on April 25, following a month-long vetting exercise.
The selection panel Chaired by Reverend Nelson Makanda, completed interviews for the IEBC chairperson position on March 26, turning its attention to the selection of commissioners.
A total of 11 candidates were interviewed for the chairperson role, including former Judiciary Chief Registrar Anne Amadi and former Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution Chairperson Charles Nyachae. National Elections Board and Election Dispute Resolution Committee chairpersons
Other candidates included former Nzoia Sugar Company boss Saul Simiyu Wasilwa, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) National Elections Board and Election Dispute Resolution Committee chairperson Joy Mdivo, Trans Nzoia County Assembly Principal Legal Counsel Edward Katama Ngeywa, former Nairobi County Town Clerk Jacob Ngwele Muvengei
Naivasha Law Courts Chief Magistrate Abdulqadir Lorot Ramadhan, former Turkana County Attorney Erastus Edung Ethekon, ex-deputy chief registrar of the Judiciary Francis Kakai Kissinger, High Court lawyer Lilian Wanjiku Manegene, and amd former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Vice President Robert Akumu Asembo.
By law, the selection panel is required to submit the names of two top candidates for chairperson to President William Ruto, who will nominate one for vetting and approval by Parliament.
Sources indicate that Nyachae, Ethekon, Mdivo, Amadi, and Lorot are emerging as front-runners in the race for the top job.
The interviews for IEBC commissioner positions began on March 27, 2025, and concluded on April 25. Out of 111 shortlisted candidates, 106 appeared before the panel for interviews.
The law mandates the selection panel to forward the names of nine candidates for commissioner positions, from which the President will appoint six, subject to parliamentary vetting and approval.
Following the conclusion of interviews, President Ruto is expected to receive the final list of 11 nominees by May 9, at the earliest.
The panel is set to retreat for a week starting April 28 to compile its report, after Parliament extended its mandate by 14 days, from April 28 to May 12.
Political leaders have recently urged President Ruto to engage in consultations with key stakeholders before making final appointments to enhance public trust in the IEBC ahead of the 2027 general election.
The country is racing against time to put in place the IEBC commission, not only to prepare for the 2027 general election but also to preside over the pending by-elections across the country.
