Komora Mabudi Jilo, one of the four candidates set to be interviewed for the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) chairperson job, has passed away.
Jilo's passing was confirmed on the morning of Wednesday, March 26, by Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana, who disclosed that the deceased passed away just as he was scheduled to go in for an interview.
According to officials, Jilo passed away at the Public Service Commission offices along Harambee Avenue.
The tragic incident momentarily disrupted the interviews on Tuesday, March 25, but after his body was transported to the mortuary for an autopsy, the selection process resumed as scheduled.
Taking to social media, Senator Mungatana mourned Jilo as a loving family man. "He was a hard-working man who loved his family and one who had a spirit of always trying to go forward. Indeed, death found him while trying to take another step forward in his public service career," Mungatana said in his statement.
Jilo had been active in Kenyan politics for years, having vied for the Garsen MP seat in the 2022 general election, which he lost to Guyo Ali Wario. He contested on a Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) ticket.
His death came just weeks after the Public Service Commission (PSC) released a list featuring prominent names set to battle for the NPSC job, including Jilo.
The former MP aspirant was facing competition from the likes of former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Commissioner Margaret Wanjala and former Gatanga Member of Parliament Humphrey Kimani.
The list also included former Busia County Deputy Governor Kizito Wangalwa, former Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Devolution’s State Department of ASALs Micah Pkopus, and former Finance Director of the Judiciary Susan Oyatsi.
After the interviews, the panel is expected to submit a shortlist of top candidates to President William Ruto for consideration. Consequently, the President nominates one candidate for the position and submits the name to the National Assembly for approval.
The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Administration and National Security will then conduct further vetting and interviews. If satisfied, the committee recommends the nominee for approval by the full House.
Once approved by Parliament, the President officially appoints the Chairperson by gazette notice, and they are sworn into office. If rejected, the President must submit another nominee.
