IEBC Reconstitution Enters Key Stage Tomorrow

The composition of the commissioners for the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is set to be finalized this week following Parliamentary approval on Wednesday.

The Leader of the Majority Party, Amos Kimunya, has called for special sittings on Wednesday to among other things approve the nominees to the IEBC, that were nominated by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

President Uhuru Kenyatta nominated Justus Nyang’aya, Juliana Cherera, Francis Wanderi, Irene Masit and forwarded their names to the Speaker of the National Assembly for parliamentary approval.

“His Excellency the President, having received the Report of the Selection Panel for the Appointment of Commissioners of the IEBC and in accordance with the procedure set out in Section 7A of the Independent and Electoral Boundaries Commission Act, 2011 (Act No. 9 of 2011) as read together with the First Schedule to the Act and Sections 3 and 5 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act (Act No. 33 of 2011) , is now seeking the approval of the National Assembly...”, read a section of the Communication to the House.

The four commissioners were part of a pool of 36 candidates that were shortlisted and interviewed by a Selection Panel. The four will replace Roselyn Akombe, Margaret Mwachanya, Paul Kurgat, and former vice-chair Consolata Maina who resigned from the commission.

MPs have three weeks ago called on members of the public to submit their views on the suitability of the four nominated IEBC commissioners.

The National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee held approval hearings on August 24 for all the four nominees.

The Commission is responsible for conducting or supervising referenda and elections to any elective body or office established by this Constitution, and any other elections as prescribed by an Act of Parliament.