NAIROBI, Kenya- Macharia Njeru, the former Chair of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), has issued a public plea to the newly appointed IEBC selection panel, urging them to resist external political pressures and remain true to the public good.
Drawing from his personal experience while leading IPOA between 2012 and 2018, Njeru shared his own struggles in standing up to both the former and current presidents, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the law despite intense political challenges.
To the IEBC selection panel,you will receive calls from the powers that be.RESIST and remain faithful to public good.I speak from personal experience.When I was in IPOA [2012-2018]I was summoned and put under pressure by both the former and the current President.I was accompanied…
In a tweet directed at the IEBC selection panel, Njeru recalled how he and his vice chair were once summoned and pressured by top political figures.
Despite being told they would be treated as opposition by the then government, Njeru’s leadership team stood firm, insisting on compliance with the law.
He described how this resolve led to a bill in Parliament aimed at removing the IPOA board’s security of tenure. Thanks to strategic lobbying of civil society, the media, international stakeholders, and Parliament, the bill was withdrawn.
Njeru highlighted that their persistence ultimately led to international recognition, with IPOA being included in bilateral discussions between Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Barack Obama during a visit to Kenya in 2015.
The efforts paved the way for IPOA to operate with minimal interference from the Executive.
The tweet comes in response to the recent announcement by President William Ruto, who has appointed a new IEBC selection panel to oversee the recruitment of IEBC commissioners.
The selection process had been delayed for nearly three years due to political and legal disputes, which sparked significant tension in the country.
The panel, now sworn into office, comprises nine individuals, including Kiome Lindah Gakii, Oloo Adams, and Ambassador Koki Muli Grig, among others.
This follows the revocation of a previous set of appointments made in 2023.
The new panel is tasked with the critical responsibility of ensuring a fair and transparent process for selecting IEBC commissioners, whose role is vital to the country’s democratic processes.
Njeru’s message to the IEBC selection panel serves as a cautionary reminder of the immense political forces at play.
His plea is clear: the panel must prioritize the country’s interests over political maneuvering and ensure that the selection process remains transparent and free from external influence.
The stakes are high for the IEBC, with public confidence in the election body essential for the credibility of Kenya’s democratic process.
As the newly appointed panel begins its work, Njeru’s call for steadfastness in the face of political pressures underscores the importance of maintaining an impartial and accountable electoral commission.
