President Ruto Set to Nominate New IEBC Commissioners After Receiving Panel Report
President William Ruto is poised to nominate a new team to lead Kenya’s electoral commission, following the official submission of a shortlist of candidates by the IEBC Selection Panel.
This marks a major step in the long-awaited reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which has remained in limbo since the 2022 General Election.
In a statement released on Tuesday, May 6, Ruto confirmed that he had received the panel’s report and would move swiftly to nominate the chairperson and commissioners in strict adherence to constitutional and legal provisions.
“This morning, I received the report on the recruitment of nominees for the positions of Chairperson and Members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) from the IEBC Selection Panel, State House Nairobi. In accordance with the provisions of the IEBC Act, I will nominate and transmit the names to the National Assembly in full fidelity to the constitutional principles that guide our system of governance,” Ruto stated.
The president praised the panel, chaired by Dr. Nelson Makanda, for diligently executing a complex national duty.
“I commend the panel, chaired by Dr. Nelson Makanda, for their diligent and commendable work,” the president added.
This development sets the stage for the transmission of the proposed names to the National Assembly for vetting and approval. If Parliament gives the green light, the president will then formally appoint the new IEBC leadership, a process expected to restore the commission’s full operational capacity.
However, the selection process has not gone without opposition. A lobby group, Operation Linda Jamii, has filed a petition at the High Court calling for the cancellation of the IEBC selection process. The group alleges the panel was politically compromised, favouring individuals with ties to President Ruto.
Fred Ogola, the group’s founder, pointed to candidates like Charles Nyachae and Joy Mdivo, citing Nyachae’s past government roles and financial history, and Mdivo’s affiliation with Kenya Power as grounds for disqualification due to potential conflicts of interest.
Operation Linda Jamii is urging the court to halt the current appointments and push for a transparent, independent, and fair selection process to restore public confidence in the IEBC’s impartiality.
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President Ruto Set to Nominate New IEBC Commissioners After Receiving Panel Report