IEBC Selection Panel Appoints Nelson Makanda as Chairperson
Additionally, Makanda said the panel must publish the names of all applicants and their qualifications in the National Gazette, two national newspapers, and on the website of the Parliamentary Service Commission.
“In this regard, the Panel shall, tomorrow, Saturday 1st February 2025, invite applications from qualified Kenyans for the positions of Chairperson and Members of the IEBC,” he said.
“I assure Kenyans that the Selection Panel is committed to conducting the recruitment exercise in an impartial, fair and transparent manner.”
Ruto Forming Selection Panel
This comes after President William Ruto on Monday, January 27, appointed members of the selection panel tasked with recruiting nominees for the positions of Chairperson and Members of the IEBC.
The nominees for the IEBC selection panel are Prof. Adams Oloo, Dr. Nelson Makanda, Fatuma Saman, Amb. Koki Muli, Evans Misati, Nicodemus Bore Kipchirchir, Andrew Tanui Kipkoech, Carolene Kituku, and Linda Kiome Gakii.
In a gazette notice dated January 27, 2025, the president revoked the appointment of the members of the panel who were previously appointed in 2023.
Court Dismiss Petition
The High Court on Friday, January 24, paved the way for President Ruto to appoint the panel after a petition challenging its constitution was thrown out.
Kiambu High Court dismissed a petition challenging the constitution of the panel on the grounds that the petitioner, Bonface Njogu, had failed to prove that persons living with disabilities had been excluded.
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Boniface Njogu had submitted that the list was not balanced as the majority are from the Kamba and Kalenjin regions.
“In a country of more than 42 Communities it is absurd that four nominees from the list (Caroline Kituku, Amb. Dr Koki Muli, Andrew Tanui Kipkoech and Nicodemus Bore Kipchichir) would come from the same region or community; The list does not adhere to regional/ ethnic balance on such a critical national process, and it flies on the face of Article 10 of the Constitution,” he argued.
Lady Justice Dola Chepkwony also dismissed a petition challenging Azimio’s nomination process, stating that the claim that the coalition failed to conduct a competitive and open recruitment exercise could not be substantiated.
Also Read: Ruto Names IEBC Selection Panel
Chief Justice Martha Koome called on the newly appointed members of the selection panel for the recruitment and nomination of the chairperson and commissioners of the IEBC to exercise integrity, urging them not to be influenced in carrying out their mandate.
