Nyachae, Amadi Among 11 Candidates for IEBC Chair to Face Panel Interviews Next Week

The selection process for the next chairperson and members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is nearing completion as the Selection Panel prepares to conduct interviews for the shortlisted candidates.

Oral interviews for the 11 candidates vying for the chairperson position will begin on March 24, 2025, and conclude on March 26, 2025, at the College of Insurance in South C, Nairobi. Among the candidates are Charles Nyachae, a former judge of the East African Court, and Anne Amadi, formerly the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary.

The interview schedule is as follows: Charles Nyachae, Anne Amadi, Abdulqadir Lorot H. Ramadhan, and Edward Katama Ngeywa will be interviewed on March 24; Erastus Edung Ethekon, Francis Kakai Kissinger, Jacob Ngwele Muvengei, and Joy Brenda Masinde-Mdivo on March 25; and Lillian Wanjiku Manegene, Robert Akumu Asembo, and Saul Simiyu Wasilwa on March 26.

The Selection Panel, led by Chairman Nelson Makanda, will then proceed with interviews for the 105 candidates shortlisted for the six vacant member positions. These interviews are scheduled to take place between March 27, 2025, and April 24, 2025. Of the 105 candidates, 32 are women, reflecting the panel's stated commitment to gender inclusivity. Chairman Makanda has affirmed that the panel is committed to a transparent, merit-based selection process designed to identify the most qualified individuals to lead the IEBC.

Candidates must present original identification and academic credentials during their interviews, along with current clearances from 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. Candidates holding foreign degrees must also have their qualifications verified by the Commission for University Education.

The Selection Panel is also inviting public participation through the submission of sworn memoranda regarding the suitability of any shortlisted candidate. The deadline for submissions concerning chairperson candidates is March 19, 2025, at 5 pm EAT, while submissions for member candidates must be received by March 26, 2025, at 5 pm. The interviews will be open to the public as part of the Selection Panel’s effort to ensure maximum transparency.

The panel has also warned that any attempt to influence the selection process will lead to immediate disqualification. The composition of the IEBC is of critical importance as the commission is responsible for overseeing elections. A credible and impartial IEBC is vital for maintaining public confidence in Kenya's democratic processes.