1,848 Kenyans Apply for IEBC Chair and Commissioner Posts
A total of 1,848 Kenyans have submitted applications for the positions of chairperson and commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), signaling a high level of public interest in these key roles. The applications, which were both hand-delivered and sent via email, mark the conclusion of the application process that ended on February 15, 2025, at 5 p.m.
The Selection Panel, responsible for recruiting the nominees for the IEBC chairperson and commissioners, has begun the process of verifying the applications. The panel, chaired by Nelson Makanda, will create a long list of applicants in line with paragraph 3(1) of the First Schedule of the IEBC Act. Makanda has reassured the public that the panel is committed to conducting the recruitment process in a fair, transparent, and professional manner. He emphasized that the panel’s approach would adhere strictly to the legal guidelines set forth by the IEBC Act, and the public would be kept updated at every stage of the process.
The panel’s work comes at a critical juncture, as the lack of a fully functioning IEBC has hindered the Commission’s ability to perform certain key duties, such as reviewing constituency boundaries and conducting by-elections. With the upcoming general elections and other important tasks at hand, the formation of a new team of commissioners is seen as essential to restoring the full functionality of the electoral body.
Once the long list is created and the applicants are shortlisted, the panel will proceed with interviews. After these interviews, the panel will submit the names of qualified candidates to President William Ruto for nomination. Following the president’s nominations, the list of candidates will be forwarded to the National Assembly for approval. The final step in the process will be the formal appointment of the new chairperson and commissioners.
Makanda had previously announced that the country would have a new IEBC team in place by April 25, 2025. The 85-day deadline, which was set when the Selection Panel was appointed on January 27, is fast approaching, and the process is expected to move forward expeditiously.
The new commissioners will be selected through a transparent and competitive process, aimed at ensuring that the body is equipped with skilled and experienced professionals who will serve the country with integrity and fairness. Following the conclusion of the recruitment process, President Ruto will nominate one individual for the role of chairperson and six others to serve as commissioners. Once the National Assembly has reviewed and approved these nominations, the appointees will be formally sworn into office.
The Selection Panel tasked with overseeing the process is composed of nine members: Nelson Makanda (chairperson), Dr. Fatuma Saman, Prof. Adams Oloo, James Misati, Nicodemus Bore, Koki Muli, Andrew Tanui, and Caroline Kituku. These members were appointed by President Ruto and took their oaths of office before Chief Justice Martha Koome, as required by the Third Schedule of the IEBC Act.
The vacancy of commissioners at the IEBC has presented challenges in carrying out electoral processes. This includes the inability to review constituency boundaries, a legal requirement, and a hold-up in holding by-elections in certain constituencies. The election of new commissioners will restore the Commission’s ability to carry out these functions effectively.
The appointment of a new team to lead the IEBC is not only a critical milestone for the electoral body but also for the nation’s democracy. The new leadership is expected to play an essential role in upholding the credibility and integrity of the electoral process in Kenya.
As the process moves forward, the public will be closely watching the Selection Panel’s decisions, with high expectations that the new team will meet the challenges and responsibilities ahead, ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections in the future.
1,848 Kenyans Apply for IEBC Chair and Commissioner Posts