Magistrate Lorot defends his record as he expresses readiness to be IEBC chair
The IEBC selection panel, chaired by Dr Nelson Makanda, is currently interviewing 11 shortlisted candidates for the chairperson’s position.
Abdulqadir Lorot Ramadhan, a magistrate eyeing the position of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson, defended his integrity and commitment to public service during his interview with the selection panel.
He assured the panel that he would resign from his current position if appointed, following legal requirements.
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“There is a precedent that has been set before. I am ready and willing to resign immediately if confirmed as the IEBC chair,” Abdulqadir stated, expressing his readiness for the role.
He told the panel that he applied for the position with full awareness that he would be required to step down as a magistrate if appointed as the next IEBC chairperson.
Currently serving as the Chief Magistrate at the Naivasha Law Courts, Abdulqadir has been in the Judiciary for 23 years.
He emphasised his strict stance on integrity, citing a past incident where he reported an advocate to the Law Society of Kenya for attempting to improperly influence a court ruling.
“I am very strict about integrity. I have a very good wife. One of the things she has told me is that I should never come home with corrupt money because that will affect my children and everybody else,” he said.
During the interview, Abdulqadir faced a challenge when asked about the number of constituencies in Kiambu County. He was able to name only eight out of 12, omitting Kabete, Limuru, Kiambu and Juja.
Abdulqadir mentioned Gatundu North, and Gatundu South but failed to mention Kabete, Limuru, Kiambu, Juja, Githunguri, Kiambaa, Lari, Kikuyu, Thika Town and Ruiru constituencies.
The question, posed by Prof Adams Oloo, was meant to test his knowledge of Kenya’s electoral geography.
Reflecting on his career, Abdulqadir expressed a desire to be remembered as a respected and principled leader.
“If I were to succeed and become IEBC chair, I would want to be remembered as someone respected by my colleagues and peers that would be enough for me.”
The selection panel, chaired by Dr Nelson Makanda, is currently interviewing 11 shortlisted candidates for the chairperson’s position.
The new chairperson will replace the late Wafula Chebukati, who completed his six-year term in 2023 and passed away last month.
The interviews are being held at the College of Insurance in South C, Nairobi.
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