NAIROBI, Kenya – The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel has hit the ground running, with the first business being the election of officials.
During the selection panel’s first meeting at County House, members elected their Chairperson (Dr. Nelson Makanda) and Vice Chairperson (Lindah Kiome), respectively.
This meeting comes immediately after two-panel members, Fatuma Saman and Carolene Kituku, who were outside the country when the other seven members were sworn in on Monday, January 27, 2025, got sworn in on Friday, January 31, 2025.
What is the mandate of the IEBC selection panel
In a press statement after the meeting, Dr. Makanda stated that for the next 85 days, the panel, through his leadership, will ensure that they deliver on giving Kenyans the next Chairperson and Members of IEBC.
“Notably, only seven members of the panel took the oath of office as two of us—Fatuma Saman and Carolene Kituku—were out of the country. However, the two have taken their oaths today, Friday, January 30, 2025. This paved the way for us, to hold our first sitting, to elect a chairperson and vice chairperson from amongst its members,” he said.
According to Dr. Makanda, by the IEBC Act provisions, the panel shall, within seven days of its appointment, invite applications from qualified persons and publish the names of all applicants and their qualifications in the Gazette, two papers of national circulation, and on the website of the Parliamentary Service Commission. The exercise will take place on Saturday, February 1, 2024.
“In this regard, the Panel shall, tomorrow, Saturday, February 1, 2025, invite applications from qualified Kenyans for the positions of Chairperson and Members of the IEBC,” Dr. Makanda said in the press statement.
In his closing remarks, the chairperson assured Kenyans that the panel is committed to conducting the recruitment exercise in an impartial, fair and transparent way.
Who are the members of the IEBC selection panel
He further stated that they will continuously issue updates to the country on the progress of the exercise.
President Ruto recently appointed Kiome Lindah Gakii, Communication professional Oloo Adams, James Evans Misati, Nicodemus Kipchirchir Bore, and Ambassador Koki Muli Grignon Carolene Kituku Tanui Andrew Kipkoech, Dr. Nelson Makanda and Fatuma Saman as members of the panel.
Following their swearing-in, Chief Justice Martha Koome and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula urged the team to speed up the recruitment exercise.
