Uhuru Nominates 4 For IEBC Jobs

f
President Uhuru Kenyatta speaks during the operationalization of the first berth at the new Lamu Port on Thursday, May 20, 2021
PSCU

President Uhuru Kenyatta has nominated four people to fill the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) slots.

The President nominated Juliana Cherera, Francis Wanderi, Irene Cherop and Justus Abonyo from a list forwarded to him by the IEBC selection panel following an intensive vetting process.

A report by Daily Nation indicated that the names have been forwarded to Parliament for vetting.

"The Committee should expeditiously notify the nominees and the general public of the time and place for holding the approval hearings, and upon conclusion of the hearings, table its Report in the House in good time to enable the House to consider the matter within the stipulated timelines," read the statement in part.

IEBC nominees Juliana Cherera and Francis Wanderi.
IEBC nominees Juliana Cherera and Francis Wanderi.
File

The four were among over 660 people who applied to fill four slots that fell vacant following the resignation of commissioners after the disputed 2017 General Election.

36 individuals were shortlisted for the position and interviewed in televised proceedings.

Cherera has previously served as a teacher and is also a former accounting officer who served in the Executive.

During her interview, she promised to prioritise the participation of minority groups in the elections by creating teams to move to where the individuals are.

On the other hand, Francis Wanderi, the former Chairperson of Export Processing Zones had promised to deal with the issue of voter apathy in the country.

“I would seek for interrogation between enforcing agencies and support and create legislation that will make someone pay for bribing voters, it is there but enforcement has been a problem,” stated Wanderi during the interview.

While appearing before the panel in mid-July, Irene Cherop, who works as a member of the National Government – Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) Board, argued that illegal money used to influence voters was a setback in the sector.

Former Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) Kagwiria Mbogori told the panel that women were affected while vying for elective posts due to increased violence during the election period.

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

IEBC nominees Irene Cherop (left) and Justus Abonyo.
IEBC nominees Irene Cherop (left) and Justus Abonyo.
File
  • . .