IEBC Recruitment Panel Receives 1,848 Applications for Chairperson and Member Positions
NAIROBI, Kenya — The selection panel overseeing the recruitment of nominees for the positions of Chairperson and Members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has received a total of 1,848 applications. The recruitment process, which has been highly anticipated due to Kenya’s need for a fully functional IEBC, officially closed on Saturday, February 15, at 5 pm.
The announcement was made in a statement released on Sunday, which confirmed that applicants had submitted their documents both in person at the Secretariat located in County House Building along Parliament Road, as well as online via email. The significant number of applications highlights the level of interest in these critical positions, which are crucial for ensuring the smooth functioning of Kenya’s electoral process.
Nelson Makanda, the Chairperson of the recruitment panel, provided an update on the next steps, revealing that the verification process had already begun. He stated that the panel was committed to conducting a thorough and transparent review of the applications in line with the requirements set out in the IEBC Act. According to Makanda, the panel would soon release a long list of all applicants, in accordance with paragraph 3(1) of the First Schedule to the IEBC Act.
“The panel has started the verification process and will soon release the long list of all applicants. This is part of our commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent recruitment process,” Makanda said. He also reassured the public that the panel would keep them informed at every stage of the recruitment exercise. Transparency and public trust are key elements of this process, especially given the importance of the IEBC in managing elections and maintaining the integrity of the country’s democratic processes.
The establishment of a fully functional IEBC has been a pressing issue for Kenya since 2023, when the electoral commission fell below its legal membership threshold. This situation arose due to political and legal disputes that left the commission with fewer members than required by law, leading to a disruption in the electoral processes. Without a full complement of commissioners, the IEBC was unable to effectively manage and oversee various electoral activities, including voter registration, political party registration, and the organization of general elections.
The delay in the appointment of new commissioners has led to growing concerns about Kenya’s readiness for future elections. As Kenya prepares for the next general elections, there is increasing pressure on the government to ensure that the IEBC is fully operational and capable of conducting free, fair, and credible elections. The public’s impatience with the delays is evident, and many citizens have called for swift action to fill the vacant positions and restore confidence in the electoral process.
In 2024, Boniface Njogu, a petitioner, moved to court with concerns about the composition of the recruitment panel. Njogu argued that the panel lacked proper representation of persons living with disabilities, which he claimed was a violation of the constitutional provisions on inclusivity. This petition, if successful, could have led to further delays in the recruitment process.
However, on January 26, 2024, the High Court dismissed Njogu’s petition, ruling that the recruitment process could proceed as planned. Justice Dora Chepkwony, who delivered the ruling, stated that the petitioner had failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the claim that the panel’s formation was unconstitutional. Justice Chepkwony further emphasized that the recruitment process should not be delayed, given the critical importance of having a fully functional IEBC ahead of future elections.
“The petitioner has advanced insufficient evidence to warrant the recruitment process being deemed unconstitutional,” Justice Chepkwony said in her ruling. This decision paved the way for the swearing-in of the recruitment panel and the continuation of the process to fill the vacant positions at the IEBC.
The IEBC has faced numerous challenges in recent years, and its ability to effectively manage elections has been under intense scrutiny. The lack of a full commission has raised concerns not only about the administration of elections but also about the integrity and transparency of the electoral process in Kenya. With the recruitment panel now in place and the verification of applicants underway, there is hope that the country will soon have a fully functional IEBC that can oversee the next general election and ensure that it is conducted smoothly and fairly.
As the recruitment process moves forward, the public is closely watching the developments, hoping that the new commissioners will bring much-needed reforms and improvements to the electoral body. The IEBC’s role in maintaining the democratic process is pivotal, and filling the vacant positions is seen as a critical step toward restoring confidence in the electoral system.
IEBC Recruitment Panel Receives 1,848 Applications for Chairperson and Member Positions