February 16, 2025
EXPLAINER What Next For the IEBC Selection Panel

EXPLAINER What Next For the IEBC Selection Panel

EXPLAINER What Next For the IEBC Selection Panel

The appointment of members to the selection panel for recruitment of IEBC commissioners after a protracted legal battle has now sparked optimism of a new commission being in place soon.

President William Ruto gazetted the nine members on Monday, January 27, paving the way for an extensive recruitment process to appoint the new commissioners.

The members are Kiome Lindah Gakii, Oloo Adams, James Evans Misati, Nicodemus Kipchirchir Bore, Koki Muli Grignon, Carolene Kituku, Tanui Andrew Kipkoech, Nelson Makanda and Fatuma Saman.

There has been growing concern among leaders and Kenyans regarding the delay in forming the commission, especially with the 2027 elections fast approaching.

Some constituencies and wards have been without elected leaders for years due to vacant positions that have not been filled because of the commission’s absence.

Chief Justice Martha Koome who spoke when she presided over the swearing-in ceremony said IEBC has been unable to function properly due to the prolonged crisis the country has faced since January 2023.

“For the past two years, Kenya has endured an unacceptable situation an electoral commission without commissioners,” she said.

About the IEBC selection panel, The panel operates under the legal framework provided by Article 250 of the Constitution, as well as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Act, which outlines the procedures for the appointment of commissioners.

IEBC (Amendment) Bill, 2024 which was signed into law on July 9, 2024, introduced significant changes to the selection and operations of the electoral body.

It raised the number of members of the selection panel from seven to nine.

Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) nominates two persons to represent the majority party and the minority party, while the Political Parties Liaison Committee (PPLC) nominates three.

Of the three from PPLC, one shall be from a party other than a parliamentary party or coalition of parties, one from a parliamentary party or coalition of parties forming the national government, and another one shall be from a parliamentary party or coalition of parties not forming the government.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) will each nominate one person while the Inter-religious Council of Kenya will have two slots.

Other changes made in a bid to cure past inefficacy provide that the IEBC chairman has absolute powers over the commission such that in his absence no one else be it the vice chairperson or a commissioner can assume the role.

EXPLAINER What Next For the IEBC Selection Panel