IEBC Commissioner candidates face tough questions on accountability

The process of selecting new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners gained momentum on Thursday, with six candidates appearing before the selection panel led by Nelson Makanda.

The interviews, which followed the conclusion of the chairperson vetting, tested the applicants' integrity, experience, and plans for reforming the electoral body.

The panel scrutinized Abduba Mollu, Adbihakim Adan Abdi, Abdinur Maalim Hussein, Abdihafid Abdullahi Yarrow, Abraham Kipruto Langat, and Adhan Nuri Berhe, focusing on their ability to restore public confidence in the commission.

The IEBC has faced criticism over past election management, making transparency and credibility central to the discussions.

Abduba Mollu, the first to be interviewed, emphasized his experience in leading USAID-funded evaluation programs and the need to improve the commission’s technological capabilities.

He highlighted the importance of stakeholder engagement in ensuring accountability.

"I bring to the table stakeholder engagement skills, strategy, and policy development experience from both government and private sectors. I will rally staff to adhere to the law, which will help us withstand pressure," Mollu told the panel.

He cautioned against political interference in the commission, stressing the importance of collective decision-making to uphold electoral integrity.

"If we uphold a collective approach, the chances of individual vested interests taking over will reduce," he added.

Adbihakim Adan Abdi faced scrutiny over his past consultancy roles for government agencies.

The panel questioned how he secured such engagements without extensive experience. In response, he defended his qualifications, citing his legal background.

"There was no litigation process involved in that engagement. I offered legal and business advisory services to groups that we were training, including legal support on how to register a company," he said.

Abdi also shared a personal experience from the 2002 elections, when he worked as an IEBC clerk while still in primary school.

He noted that he faced difficulties receiving payment due to a lack of an identification card.

Abdinur Maalim Hussein was questioned about financial irregularities flagged in Wajir County’s 2019/2020 audit report during his tenure as county secretary.

He distanced himself from the issues, stating that he was not directly involved in the tendering process.

"We are only consumers of the product. I don’t sit in the tender committee, neither am I the chairman of the committee. The audit team came to me as an entry point," he explained.

Former Wajir Deputy Governor Abdihafid Abdullahi Yarrow was asked about negotiated democracy and how he would promote electoral transparency.

He maintained that his role would be to ensure free and fair elections without influencing political processes.

"As a commissioner, it is beyond my jurisdiction to decide for the people. They must make their choice at the ballot. However, I will use negotiation skills to build consensus among us as leaders within the commission to ensure smooth operations," Yarrow said.

Adhan Nuri Berhe, another candidate, pointed to his past role as an elections coordinator at the IEBC as evidence of his preparedness.

He said his prior experience had given him insight into the commission’s inner workings.

"I have been introduced to commissioners' work, having worked as a chair of the Public Service Board, which is more or less a commissioner's work," he said.

The vetting process comes at a crucial time as the country seeks to reform the electoral body ahead of future elections.

The selection panel is expected to continue its rigorous evaluation process to ensure the appointment of the most competent and impartial individuals to lead the IEBC.