IEBC Selection Panel Nominees Forwarded to Parliament, Here’s What Next

A list of nine nominees for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel has been forwarded to Parliament

This move follows the directives of a newly signed electoral law, which aims to ensure a transparent and efficient selection process.

The selection panel, which consists of representatives from various entities, is tasked with the responsibility of appointing new commissioners to the IEBC.

It includes individuals nominated by non-parliamentary parties, majority and minority parties, the Inter-Religious Council, and The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya.

Parliament of Kenya (right). Photo/ParlimentKE — Parliament of Kenya. Photo/ParlimentKE

IEBC Selection Panel Nominees

From the political party’s liaison committee, Evans Misati represents non-parliamentary parties, Nicodemus Bore comes from the majority party, and Augustus Muli is from the minority party.

The Inter-Religious Council has retained Dr. Nelson Makanda and Fatuma Saman, who served in the previous election panel.

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Additionally, Andrew Tanui Kipkoech has been nominated by The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya.

Further nominations will be announced by Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Faith Odhiambo and Moses Wetangula, the Speaker of the National Assembly.

They will reveal the nominees from the lawyers’ body and the Parliamentary Service Commission.

IEBC Commissioners Recruitment Process

Once the nominated panel members are approved by Parliament, the chairperson and members of the selection panel shall, before assuming office, take and subscribe to the oath or affirmation of office.

After this, they will have 90 days to complete the recruitment process and submit the names of the nominees to the president according to the new electoral law.

The selection panel shall then invite applications from qualified persons and publish the names of all applicants and their qualifications in the Gazette, two newspapers of national circulation and on the website of the Parliamentary Service Commission.

Moreover, the panel shall consider the applications, shortlist and interview the applicants.

IEBC -Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula. Photo\Courtesy — Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula. Photo\Courtesy

After the interviews, the selection panel shall select two persons qualified to be appointed as chairperson and nine persons qualified to be appointed as members of the Commission.

IEBC Commissioners Nominees Forwarded to the President

The panel shall then forward the names to the President for the nomination of one person for appointment as the chairperson and six persons for appointment as members.

It is from this that the President shall, within seven days of receipt of the names forward the list of nominees to the National Assembly for approval in accordance with the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act.

Consequently, the President shall, within seven days of receipt of the names approved by the National Assembly, by notice in the Gazette, appoint the Chairperson and the members of the Commission.

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Once the panel completes its mandate, it will be dissolved unless Parliament decides to extend its tenure through a resolution passed in both the National Assembly and the Senate.