The process of selecting the next chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has entered a crucial stage with the shortlisting of 11 candidates.
Among those vying for the position are Charles Nyachae, a former Judge of the East African Court, and Anne Amadi, the immediate past Chief Registrar of the Judiciary.
These two, along with nine others, are set to undergo oral interviews conducted by the Selection Panel for the recruitment of nominees. The interviews will be held at the College of Insurance in South C, Nairobi, beginning on Monday, March 24, 2025, and concluding on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
The first batch of candidates to face the panel on March 24 includes Charles Nyachae, Anne Amadi, Abdulqadir Lorot H. Ramadhan, and Edward Katama Ngeywa.
Their sessions are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.On the second day, March 25, the panel will interview Erastus Edung Ethekon, Francis Kakai Kissinger, Jacob Ngwele Muvengei, and Joy Brenda Masinde-Mdivo.
The last day, March 26, will see Lillian Wanjiku Manegene, Robert Akumu Asembo, and Saul Simiyu Wasilwa from Bungoma taking their turn before the panel. The selection process does not end with the chairperson’s recruitment.
The Selection Panel has also planned interviews for the six vacant IEBC Member positions, which will begin on Thursday, March 27, 2025, and continue until Thursday, April 24, 2025.
The panel chairperson, Nelson Makanda, has assured the public that the process will be fair and transparent. He emphasized that only the most qualified and competent individuals will be shortlisted and eventually appointed to lead the electoral commission.
Candidates have been reminded to carry their original identification documents, testimonials, and certifications to the interview.
Additionally, they must provide up-to-date clearance documents from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Higher Education Loans Board, the Kenya Revenue Authority, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Credit Reference Bureau.
Those who obtained their degrees from foreign institutions must ensure that their qualifications are verified by the Commission for University Education.The public has also been given an opportunity to submit memoranda regarding any of the shortlisted candidates.
These submissions must be made under oath and can be delivered through registered mail, hand delivery at the 3rd Floor, County House Building on Parliament Road, or emailed as a PDF attachment to [email protected].
The deadline for submitting memoranda concerning the chairperson position is March 19, 2025, by 5 p.m. East African Time, while those for the Member positions must be submitted by March 26, 2025, at 5 p.m.
The selection of the IEBC chairperson and commissioners is a critical process that will shape the future of Kenya’s electoral body. The chosen individuals will have the responsibility of ensuring credible elections and restoring public confidence in the commission.
All eyes will be on the Selection Panel to see if they will uphold their promise of a fair and transparent process that delivers leaders capable of steering the IEBC in the right direction.
