IEBC panel sworn in to recruit Kenya's 2027 election chiefs
The nine nominees who are tasked with recruiting the Chairperson and Members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) have been sworn in at the Supreme Court of Kenya.
The nine nominees who are tasked with recruiting the Chairperson and Members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) have been sworn in at the Supreme Court of Kenya.
The swearing of Prof. Adams Oloo, Dr. Nelson Makanda, Fatuma Saman, Amb. Koki Muli, Evans Misati, Nicodemus Bore Kipchirchir, Andrew Tanui Kipkoech, Carolene Kituku and Linda Kiome Gakii came just hours after their appointment by President William Ruto.
In a January 27, 2025 gazette notice, the Dr. Ruto revoked the appointment of members of the panel who were earlier appointed in 2023.
Chief Justice Martha Koome urged the selection panel to recruit men and women of integrity, who will help inspire trust and confidence in the country's agency charged with managing elections.
Their appointment and subsequent swearing in comes amid sustained pressure on the President to unlock the impasse that had rocked the fresh set up of IEBC key personnel as the clock ticks towards the 2027 General Election.
This comes amid pressure for Dr. Ruto to urgently establish the IEBC selection panel, with claims that he was interfering with independent institutions and stalling reforms.
In December last year, Supreme Court Judge Isaac Lenaola criticized the delay in setting up the IEBC, warning that Kenya risks plunging into chaos in the event the country constitutes the agency late, leaving the commissioners with little or no time to manage the 2027 General Election.
“How can a country like ours stand on its feet if it does not have an electoral commission,” he said. “Elections are in 2027, this is 2024, when will this commission be prepared?”
During the weekend, Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka weighed in on the matter, citing "terrible things going on" at the IEBC secretariat, "On Monday, we hope to come up with a very clear statement about what is going on. In the meantime, within the IEBC Secretariat itself, there are terrible things going on, like procurement. They are testing the grounds."
At the same time, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni called for immediate set up of the IEBC in readiness for the 2027 polls.
On Friday last week, the High Court in Kiambu threw out a petition challenging the setting up of IEBC recruitment panel on grounds that the petitioner, Bonface Njogu, did not provide sufficient grounds to show that the proposed members to the team excluded persons living with disabilities.
At the same time, Lady Justice Dola Chepkwony threw out a petition that was challenging the nomination process carried out by opposition coalition, Azimio, noting that it could not be proved.
