Tensions rise as IEBC nominees list heads to President Ruto amid allegations of bias

As the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel wrapped up its interviews, the list of nominees for the upcoming appointments is set to be submitted to President William Ruto.

However, the process has ignited fresh political tensions in Kenya, with concerns about the transparency and fairness of the selection process being raised by both opposition leaders and civil society groups.

The panel, which has been tasked with overseeing the recruitment of new commissioners following the resignation of the previous IEBC officials, concluded the interviews for the chairperson and commissioner positions on Friday, April 25.

The names of the 13 candidates, two for the chairperson position and eleven for the member positions, are expected to be handed over to President Ruto by May 11.

According to Dr. Nelson Makanda, the chairperson of the selection panel, the panel ensured that the interviews were conducted in compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

"We were given 90 days, and Parliament gave us an additional 14 days, which ends on May 11. By then, we will submit the names to the President," Makanda said.

Despite the panel’s assurances, the selection process has been met with skepticism.

Opposition leaders, including Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K), and Martha Karua (People’s Liberation Party), have voiced concerns over the lack of inclusivity and transparency in the process.

Some have criticized the circulation of names before the panel's official completion, casting doubt on the fairness of the process. Wamalwa questioned: "Who is this person who already knows the referred chairperson before the selection panel concludes its process?"

Further fuelling the discontent, a lobby group, Operation Linda Jamii, has moved to court seeking to halt the nomination process.

The group has accused the panel of political favoritism and bias, particularly pointing to candidates Charles Nyachae and Joy Mdivo, who are alleged to have political affiliations that could undermine the impartiality required for such positions.

Makanda, however, defended the panel’s actions, stating, "We wish to reassure Kenyans that we have conducted the process transparently and within the law."

He also addressed criticisms regarding the inclusion of additional names in the shortlist, claiming that the move was necessary to ensure regional balance and inclusivity.

"The six names were not sneaked. We reviewed the shortlist further to fulfill regional balance, youth representation, and overall inclusivity," he said.

In contrast, political leaders from Kenya Kwanza have defended the process, calling on critics to respect institutional procedures.

Tharaka MP George Murugara, while acknowledging the delays in the process, praised the selection panel for its thoroughness.

"The process of interviews has been painstakingly slow, but the selection panel has had to do a thorough job. As soon as the nominees are picked, we will vet them quickly, and I assure Kenya that by the end of June, the commission will be in office," Murugara told the Star.

The upcoming handover of the nominees to President Ruto and the subsequent parliamentary approval process is expected to be a critical moment in shaping the future of the IEBC.