IEBC Candidate Abdalla Mohammed Cancels Interview Last Minute

Members of the selection Panel for IEBC Commissioners on May 18, 2021.
Members of the Selection Panel for IEBC Commissioners on May 18, 2021.
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Abdalla Mohammed, a candidate who was scheduled for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) interviews at 9:30am on Wednesday, July 7, withdrew in a last minute change of mind on Tuesday.

Before his withdrawal, the selection panel wrote him an email, highlighting that his academic papers were questionable.

The panel revealed it had made an inquiry with the Kenya Methodist University, probing whether Mohammed was an alumnus of the Institution.

IEBC offices in North Coast
IEBC offices in North Coast.
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"The selection panel wrote to Kenya Methodist University in a letter dated 28th June 2021 seeking verification of his Bachelor degree that was awarded on 28 July 2007.

"The Vice Chancellor responded saying that the academic certificate was not issued by Kenya Methodist and is, therefore, a forgery," a member of the panel stated.

Following the revelation, the panel brought up the matter with Mohammed, who in turn expressed gratitude for the opportunity to apply and withdrew.

"The selection panel acknowledges and confirms the withdrawal of his candidature."

Further, the panel vowed to continue discharging its mandate by verifying the submitted documents and warned other candidates of engaging in malpractices.

"We call upon the relevant agencies to deal with the matter in accordance with the law."

IEBC received 700 applications when they advertised for the positions. 

The four positions fell vacant after the resignation of commissioner Roselyne Akombe in 2017, former Vice-Chairperson Cornie Nkatha Maina and commissioners Paul Kurgat and Margaret Mwachanya in 2018.

The job vacancies were announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta in April 2021, after almost three years when the four commissioners had resigned.

UNDP Governance and Peacebuilding Africa Coordinator Roselyn Akombe
UNDP Governance and Peacebuilding Africa Coordinator Roselyn Akombe
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