The reconstitution of Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has advanced significantly, with the chairperson position reportedly down to two frontrunners: former Judiciary Chief Registrar Anne Amadi and former Constitution Implementation Commission Chairperson Charles Nyachae.
This development follows President William Ruto’s receipt of the final report from the IEBC Selection Panel, led by Dr. Nelson Makanda, on Tuesday at State House, Nairobi. The report caps a month-long vetting and interview process involving 11 candidates for the chairperson role and over 100 for commissioner positions.
Sources indicate that Amadi and Nyachae emerged as top contenders, with Amadi reportedly scoring the highest in the interviews. However, Nyachae’s candidacy faces scrutiny due to his familial ties to former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, raising concerns among some stakeholders about potential political influence.
President Ruto pledged to follow constitutional procedures in nominating the IEBC chairperson and commissioners, promising to forward the selected names to the National Assembly for vetting and approval.
“I will nominate and transmit the names to the National Assembly in strict adherence to the constitutional principles guiding our governance,” Ruto stated.
He emphasised the urgency of restoring the IEBC’s functionality, noting its critical role in strengthening democracy and preparing for future elections. The commission has been largely inactive for nearly two years, hampering its core operations.
The opposition, led by Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka, has voiced concerns about the selection process, citing issues of transparency and inclusivity. Kalonzo criticised Ruto for allegedly sidelining opposition leaders in consultations and questioned the legitimacy of engaging ODM leader Raila Odinga, whom he claims is now aligned with the executive.
“The President must consult the opposition coalition, not just Raila, to ensure genuine inclusivity,” Kalonzo stated.
Tensions escalated after reports surfaced that six additional candidates were interviewed without public disclosure, prompting threats of legal action from civil society groups and opposition figures. Dr. Makanda defended the panel, asserting that the recruitment process complied with legal and constitutional standards, prioritising regional balance, inclusivity, and youth representation.
New Commissioners Face Daunting Tasks
Once approved by the National Assembly, the new commissioners will tackle a demanding workload, including:
- Conducting by-elections in at least 19 constituencies and wards, such as Malava, Mbeere North, Banisa, Magarini, Ugunja, and Kariobangi North.
- Recruiting senior IEBC staff.
- Resuming the long-delayed boundaries delimitation exercise.
- Overseeing voter registration and procuring election materials for the 2027 General Election.
Additionally, the team may need to manage a national referendum if recommendations from the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) are adopted. The NADCO report proposes significant constitutional amendments, including creating the Office of the Prime Minister, establishing an official Leader of the Opposition, and entrenching key development funds in the Constitution, all requiring a public vote.
