The four vacant commissioner posts at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) have been highly sought after by Kenyans as more than 700 people applied for the positions.
Once selected, the four commissioners stand to get hefty perks and benefits. The lucrative post attracts Ksh621,250 monthly salary as well as allowances.
The commissioners will also get an official chauffeured car, airtime, security and their family members get a full medical cover.
Further, upon retiring, they will receive a lucrative package amounting to 30 percent of their total salary in the six-year term that they are set to serve.
Currently, IEBC has shortlisted 699 candidates whose names and academic qualifications have been officially published.
The applicants will further be shortlisted by a selection panel that was appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta through a Gazette notice.
The positions were declared vacant by Uhuru in April 2021 after the previous commissioners resigned leaving three members.
The remaining members include Wafula Chebukati (chairperson), Abdi Yakub Guliye and Boya Molu.
Former commissioner Roselyn Akombe resigned in 2017 before the repeat presidential elections. She cited safety reasons as the key factor for her exit.
The following year, three commissioners, Margaret Mwachanya and Paul Kurgat including vice-chairperson Cornie Nkatha Maina tendered their resignation.
The Head of State also selected a selection panel that was tasked with the role of interviewing the candidates and ultimately come up with the final four candidates.
The panel consists of Elizabeth Muli, Gideon Solonka, James Awuori, Elizabeth Odundo, Joseph Mutie and Farudin Abdalla.
The seventh member, Dorothy Jemator, was not included after the High court suspended her appointment on April 28, 2021.
