NAIROBI, Kenya – The National Assembly has formally opened the vetting process for President William Ruto’s seven nominees to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), inviting Kenyans to submit sworn memoranda on their suitability.
In a public notice issued by the Clerk of the National Assembly, members of the public have until Wednesday, May 21 at 5:00 pm to send written affidavits—backed by evidence—raising any objections to the appointments. Submissions can be delivered in person, via post, or email.
The move signals the beginning of a crucial phase in reconstituting the IEBC, a commission that has operated below quorum since early last year, hampering its ability to conduct by-elections and execute boundary reviews.
Though Parliament is currently on recess, Speaker Moses Wetang’ula invoked special provisions to greenlight urgent business, allowing the vetting to proceed without recalling MPs.
The names of the nominees, led by chairperson-designate Erastus Edung Ethekon, were formally transmitted to the House last week.
The six commissioner nominees are Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah.
The seven were selected through a competitive process overseen by a panel appointed in accordance with the National Dialogue Committee’s framework and legal guidelines.
Speaker Wetang’ula has tasked the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC), chaired by Tharaka MP Gitonga Murugara, with vetting the nominees and reporting back to the House by May 27, when Parliament resumes.
“The urgency to reconstitute the IEBC cannot be overstated,” Wetang’ula noted, emphasizing the need for swift approval to avoid further delays in electoral operations.
The committee will hold public approval hearings on Monday, May 26, at the Mini Chamber in County Hall, from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Nominees are required to present their original identification documents, academic and professional certificates, and clearances from key state bodies including the EACC, KRA, HELB, DCI, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, and a Credit Reference Bureau.
The vetting will assess each nominee’s professional background, integrity, and understanding of the IEBC’s constitutional mandate.
The IEBC appointments come at a politically sensitive time, with opposition leaders and civil society groups raising transparency concerns over the recruitment process.
While some nominees, such as former Judiciary Registrar Anne Amadi, have received public support in past polls, skepticism lingers over the independence of the process.
Under the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, nominees must secure parliamentary approval to be formally appointed.
If Parliament rejects any name, the President must submit an alternative from the remaining shortlisted candidates.
If approved, the new IEBC team will be tasked with restoring confidence in the commission ahead of major electoral milestones, including pending by-elections and preparations for the 2027 general election.
