Over 300 Kenyans apply for IEBC commissioner positions ahead of April deadline

The selection panel overseeing the recruitment of new commissioners for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has confirmed receiving 339 applications for the seven vacant positions.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, IEBC selection panel chairperson Nelson Makanda said the panel expects to complete the process by April 25, when it will submit the names of the nominees to President William Ruto.

Makanda noted that the application period remains open until 5 pm on February 15.

“The application process is ongoing, and as stated in the advertisement, it shall expire at 5 pm on Saturday, February 15, 2025. In the meantime, the panel is engaging with relevant stakeholders in preparation for the task ahead,” Makanda said.

He expressed appreciation to the media and the public for their support and assured Kenyans that the panel would uphold transparency and legal provisions throughout the process.

“The panel would like to express its gratitude to the members of the press, the public, and the entire Kenyan population for their continuous support, encouragement, and coverage in the last few days. The role of the media in shaping public perception and dialogue cannot be overstated, and we are truly thankful for this unwavering support,” he added.

Makanda emphasised that the panel would adhere to the Constitution and relevant laws, including the IEBC Act.

“We will faithfully discharge our duties to ensure that the country gets a credible commission that will foster democracy in Kenya,” he said.

Selection panel vice chairperson Lindah Kiome reaffirmed that the recruitment process would be completed within the set timelines.

“This is a new panel, and our expectation is that all applications must fall within the timelines we have given. The application period started when we made the advertisements and will end on February 15,” she said.

She added that the panel expects to submit the nominees’ names to the president by April 25.

“We anticipate having a commission in place by April. Once we submit the names to His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Kenya, the next steps will follow as per the law, including parliamentary approval. If we submit the names by April 25, it means that by May, the commission should be in place,” Kiome said.

Legal battle

Meanwhile, the appointment of Prof Adams Oloo to the IEBC selection panel has been challenged in court by lawyer Apollo Mboya, who argues that the appointment is unlawful.

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Mboya contends that Oloo’s role as an advisor to President Ruto compromises his ability to serve as an impartial member of the panel.

“Oloo, who serves as an advisor to the president, cannot faithfully, impartially, and in good conscience be an independent representative of the Parliamentary Service Commission in the panel while also being an advisor to the President/Executive,” Mboya argues in court papers.

He maintains that allowing Oloo to hold both roles creates a “brazen conflict of interest” and undermines the principle of separation of powers enshrined in the IEBC Act.

“If that was constitutionally permissible, the need to provide for sectoral representatives as contemplated under the First Schedule of the IEBC Act would have been pointless. The Presidency/Executive may as well appoint all members of the panel,” he stated.

Mboya further warned that the integrity of the selection process is crucial, as it directly impacts Kenya’s electoral credibility.

Responding to the legal challenge, Kiome said the panel would abide by the court’s decision but clarified that no legal orders had been issued to halt the process.

“On matters pertaining to the law, we leave it to the courts to decide. However, as far as we are concerned, there are no injunctions, and therefore, we are continuing with our work with that member until directed otherwise by the court,” she said.

She added that the panel was engaging stakeholders to ensure a credible process.

“We are working to strengthen the selection panel’s capacity to ensure we give Kenyans commissioners who meet the highest standards. We aim to restore confidence in the IEBC as an institution,” she said.

Oloo was appointed as an advisor to President Ruto on December 20, 2024, as part of a broader strategy to bring opposition allies, including those linked to ODM leader Raila Odinga, into government positions.

The legal battle over his inclusion in the selection panel adds another layer of scrutiny to the ongoing recruitment process.