IEBC commissioner nominee Moses Mukhwana: My legal work for ANC was not political

IEBC Commissioner nominee Moses Mukhwana has defended his past legal work for the ANC party, telling MPs that his role was purely professional and should not disqualify him from public office.

Speaking during his vetting before the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, Mukhwana said his involvement with the party was limited to legal consultancy and not political decision-making.

“I was the lawyer for ANC as a consultant. I am not and have never been a member of the party’s leadership,” he told the MPs on Saturday.

The nominee said he continued offering legal services to ANC until it was wound up, and was recently tasked with overseeing the closure process in his capacity as a legal consultant.

“My work was professional. Even animals in the jungle don’t live without interacting — it’s unfair to expect that I should have no links with anyone,” he stated.

Mukhwana said his time working with the ANC offered him valuable experience as a young lawyer, and insisted it would not affect his impartiality if appointed to the electoral commission.

“They gave me a chance to grow in my profession, and that was important. But using that against me now would not be fair,” he said.

In addition, he also dismissed claims that his past links to the party created any conflict of interest.

“I’ve learnt that in public service, some people will praise you and others will attack you. We are human and must take it in stride,” Mukhwana said.

Mukhwana is a Kenyan lawyer and public servant.

With a solid educational background in law, Mukhwana has built a career in both the legal and governance sectors, offering expertise in electoral processes and legal matters.

His professional journey has positioned him well to uphold the integrity of elections in Kenya.

IEBC nominee also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law (2013), a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Nairobi (2003) and a Diploma in Education (Humanities) from Kagumo Teachers Training College.

This academic foundation has allowed him to hone his expertise in the complexities of the Kenyan legal system, as well as in governance and electoral law.

His legal education provided him with a solid understanding of constitutional law, electoral processes, and the legal frameworks that govern public institutions, making him a suitable candidate for the highly demanding role at the IEBC.

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Currently, Mukhwana is the Lead Attorney & Managing Partner at Alutalala Mukhwana & Company Advocates, a member of the University Council and Chairperson, Audit and Governance Committee at the Southeastern Kenya University.

In addition, the nominee served as a member of the Taskforce for Addressing Human Resource for Health and an associate advocate at PL Mutull & Associates (2014-2015).

Before his nomination for the IEBC job, Mukhwana was a practising lawyer, representing clients in various legal matters, ranging from civil disputes to corporate issues, and specialised in areas that intersect with public policy and governance.

As a commissioner at the IEBC, if approved, Mukhwana’s responsibilities will include overseeing the electoral process, ensuring compliance with the law, safeguarding voter rights, and promoting free and fair elections.