Augustine MuthuriThe selection panel tasked with recruiting nominees for the positions of chairperson and members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has expressed optimism that a fully constituted commission will be in place by May this year. The panel’s chairperson, Nelson Makanda, shared this outlook during a recent press briefing.
Currently, the application process for suitable candidates is in progress and is slated to conclude this weekend. “The application process is ongoing and as indicated in the advertisement, it will close at 5 PM on Saturday, February 15, 2025,” stated Makanda. Following the completion of applications, the panel will undertake necessary steps to prepare a final list of successful candidates, which is expected to be submitted to the president by April 25.
Lindah Kiome, the vice chairperson of the panel, outlined the subsequent procedures following the submission to the president. “According to the law, the names will be forwarded to parliament for vetting before they can officially take office,” she explained, reinforcing the timeline for establishing the commission. Kiome also clarified that since the current panel is newly constituted, interested candidates who previously applied to the former panel will need to reapply.
As part of their responsibilities, the panel is engaging with various stakeholders to ensure a transparent recruitment process. Makanda has encouraged Kenyans to submit their applications for the roles. The law stipulates that the panel has 90 days from its swearing-in date to complete the recruitment process and submit qualified individuals’ names to the president.
To qualify for the position of IEBC Chairperson, applicants must possess at least 15 years of experience as a Superior Court Judge or in distinguished roles within legal practice, academia, or other relevant fields. Additionally, candidates must meet the leadership and integrity standards set out in Chapter Six of the Constitution. Notably, individuals are ineligible if they have served as a Member of Parliament (MP) or Member of County Assembly (MCA) within the last five years. Furthermore, those who have held positions within the governing body of a political party or any state office during that period are also disqualified.
For the role of IEBC Commissioner, candidates must hold a degree from a recognized university and should have at least a decade of proven knowledge and experience in electoral matters, management, finance, governance, public administration, law, ICT, or accounting. Applications must include certified academic certificates, a detailed curriculum vitae (CV), a national ID or passport, and any other relevant testimonials. Additionally, applicants must provide clearance certificates from appropriate regulatory bodies.
Eligible candidates have the option to submit their applications either physically to the Selection Panel Chairperson’s office or via email. The panel’s commitment to a rigorous selection process promises a renewed and effective IEBC, with significant anticipation from the Kenyan public for the upcoming appointments.
