The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel, on Tuesday, March 28, announced that 25 applicants applied to replace former chairperson Wafula Chebukati whose six-year term ended on January 17.
Despite former Prime Minister Raila Odinga protesting against the reconstruction of the IEBC, the panel indicated that it would proceed with screening the applicants before their names are forwarded to President William Ruto for consideration.
“We want to commit to presenting a good commission to this country. We have received applications from all counties. This ascertains that Kenyans have confidence in the process.
"They want to perform the duty of the commissioner of IEBC, so since there is political contestation, I think somebody must do this job," chairperson of the IEBC selection panel, Nelson Makanda, stated while speaking at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC).
“We must be able to get a commission in place, and when politicians agree, as when they agree, they can change the law, and whatever they agree upon is what Kenyans will use,” Makanda added.
He further Kenyans that the process would continue regardless of the political climate.
In total, 920 people applied for the seven IEBC commission slots. Out of the 920, 25 applied to be IEBC chairperson. 895 people applied for the other six positions.
Names of the successful applicants will be published and shortlisted in a week. Afterward, members of the public will add their input concerning the integrity of those who will be shortlisted.
The terms of Wafula Chebukati, and commissioners Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu ended on January 17, 2023.
A tribunal led by Justice Aggrey Muchelule was formed to probe the role of the other 4 IEBC commissioners who dissented from Chebukati’s presidential election results.
Three IEBC commissioners, Juliana Cherera, Francis Wanderi, and Justus Nyang’aya, quit in December 2022 to avoid a tribunal probing their conduct in the August 2022 polls.
On March 1, 2023, IEBC commissioner Irene Masit was fired by President Ruto following recommendations by the tribunal.
On Tuesday, March 28, 2023, Raila reiterated conditions that must be met before holding talks with Ruto and abolishing the anti-government protests.
In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Raila underlined that the government should stop dismembering the opposition, open IEBC servers, stop the reconstitution of IEBC, and lower the cost of living.
