IEBC Selection Panel Takes Office
Chief Justice Martha Koome presided over the swearing-in ceremony which officially established the seven-member Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel on Monday.
Panel Composition
President William Ruto appointed the panel members, who include:
Kiome Lindah Gakii
- Prof. Oloo Adams
- James Evans Misati
- Nicodemus Kipchirchir Bore
- Amb. Koki Muli Grignon
- Carolene Kituku
- Dr. Nelson Makanda
- Tanui Andrew Kipkoech
- Fatuma Saman
Mandate and Expectations
A supreme responsibility of the panel is to manage the recruitment process of future IEBC commissioners to safeguard Kenya’s electoral process.
Chief Justice Koome emphasized the importance of selecting individuals with:
Unblemished integrity
Impartiality and independence
Professionalism aligned with constitutional principles
Koome pointed out to the panel that as the IEBC stands as Kenya’s electoral guardian they must maintain stringent standards.
Facilitation by Parliament
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula ordered the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) to give the panel everything needed for effective operations. He requested that selection procedures complete their task swiftly to solve public anxieties and adhere to constitutional deadlines.
Court Clearance
A recent High Court decision cleared the path for President Ruto to move forward with his nominee selections after dismissing petitions against the panel’s formation.
Background and Context
Verification of the choice board formed to consider appointments became a matter of public analysis because of delayed processes and rumored institutional intrusion. The IEBC had to undergo major reforms because previous electoral processes generated numerous controversies and public pressure kept mounting.
The installation of the panel is expected to lead to the IEBC’s reorganization so public trust in the electoral system can be rebuilt before new polls arrive.