Candidates for IEBC chairperson to face selection panel starting March 24

The process of appointing a new Chairperson for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has entered a crucial phase, with shortlisted candidates set to appear before the selection panel for oral interviews.

The interviews will take place from March 24 to March 26, 2025, at the College of Insurance in South C, Nairobi.

According to a notice released on Friday, the interviews will be conducted in three phases, each featuring a group of candidates from different regions.

The first batch, scheduled for Monday, March 24, includes Abdulqadir Lorot H. Ramadhan (Baringo), Anne Atieno Amadi (Homa Bay), Charles Ayako Nyachae (Kisii), and Edward Katama Edward Katama Ngeywa (Trans Nzoia).

Their sessions will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The second group, set for Tuesday, March 25, consists of Erastus Edung Ethekon (Turkana), Francis Kaaki Kissinger (Vihiga), Jacob Ngwele Muvengei (Kitui), and Joy Brenda Masinde-Mdivo (Nairobi).

Their interviews will also take place within the same timeframe.

The final set of candidates, appearing on Wednesday, March 26, includes Lillian Wanjiku Manegene (Kirinyaga), Robert Akumu Asembo (Busia), and Saul Simiyu Wasilwa (Bungoma).

In addition to the Chairperson selection, the panel will also be interviewing candidates for the six vacant IEBC Member positions.

These interviews are set to begin on March 27 and will continue until April 24, 2025. The selection process involves multiple sessions daily, with candidates drawn from different counties.

Panel chairperson Dr. Nelson Makanda emphasized the commitment to a fair and transparent process. “We will ensure that only the most qualified and competent individuals are shortlisted and appointed to steer the commission forward,” he said.

All shortlisted applicants must present their original national identity card or passport, alongside their original academic certificates and testimonials. These documents must be returned before the candidates leave the interview venue.

Additionally, candidates are required to submit valid clearance certificates from several agencies, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Higher Education Loans Board, the Kenya Revenue Authority, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Credit Reference Bureau.

Those with foreign degrees must obtain verification from the Commission for University Education.

Dr. Makanda stressed the importance of these requirements, stating, “Every candidate must provide proof of their qualifications and integrity. These clearances are necessary to ensure transparency and accountability in the selection process.”

The selection panel has invited the public to submit written memoranda regarding the suitability of any shortlisted candidate.

The submissions must be made under oath and can be delivered via registered mail, hand-delivered to the 3rd Floor of County House Building on Parliament Road, or emailed as a PDF attachment to [email protected].

The deadline for memoranda submissions for the Chairperson position is March 19, 2025, by 5 p.m. (EAT), while submissions concerning the Member positions must be received by March 26, 2025, at 5 p.m.