Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Isaack Hassan Chairperson is set to make a comeback managing one of the top constitutional commissions in Kenya.
This comes after the Public Service Commission(PSC) published his name alongside other Kenyans to be interviewed for the Independent Police Oversight Authority(IPOA) chairperson position.
Hassan is one of the 9 candidates who have made it to the next round, with the recruitment panel having narrowed down a pool of 22 Kenyans who had applied for the position.
‘’Pursuant to the provisions of Section 8, 9 and 10 of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority Act, 2011 (No.35, 2011 Revised Edition,2012) the Selection panel for the recruitment of nominees for appointment as Chairperson and Members of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority invited applications from persons wishing to be considered for appointment to the positions of the Chairperson and Member in the print media and the Public Service Commission website on 13th September, 2024,’’ PSC communicated in a notice.
‘’A total of Twenty Two (22) and Three hundred and Four (304) applications for the Chairperson and Members respectively, were received at the close of the advertisement on 27th September, 2024,’’ the statement read.
Hassan who steered the IEBC between 2011 to 2017 will now square it out with the 8 other candidates. The finalist will be mandated with leading the body responsible for oversighting the National Police Service.
Other candidates who shortlisted for the IPOA chairperson position include; former National Transport and Safety Director General Francis Meja, former IEBC Commissioner Thomas Letangule, Annah Konuche, Patrick Blasius Owiny, Mercy Wambui Kamau, Wayong'o Cyril Simiyu, Juliet Wanjiku Muremi and Richard Barno.
Meanwhile, notable names shortlisted for IPOA oversight board members include; former Manyatta Constituency Member of Parliament John Muchiri Nyaga, university don Fred Opiyo Jonyo and Multimedia Appeals Tribunal member Collins Wanderi Munyiri among others.
The PSC announced the filling of the vacancies at the IPOA has been prompted by he expiry of the body's current leadership who are set to vacate office after completing their 6-year term in office.
Focus will shift to the Selection Panel who will have the biggest say on who gets to steer IPOA at a time when the constitutional body is facing alot of scrutiny for failing to check police excesses.
Hassan, a lawyer by profession, was thrust back into national limelight in April 2024 when the Judicial Service Commission(JSC) shortlisted him for a Court of Appeal Judge position, which triggered uproar from the opposition led at the time by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.
