IEBC Candidate Interviews Set for Monday as Eligibility Concerns Emerge

Interviews have commenced this week for candidates seeking to fill key positions within Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)

This marks a critical step towards reconstituting the electoral body before the 2027 general election. The selection process, led by a panel headed by Dr Nelson Makanda, aims to appoint a chairperson to succeed the late Wafula Chebukati, as well as six commissioners to replace those who departed following the controversial 2022 polls. Eleven candidates are vying for the chairperson position, including former Registrar of the Judiciary Anne Amadi and ex-chairperson of the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution Charles Nyachae.

The applicant pool also includes lawyers, former government officials, and individuals with disabilities. A total of 105 individuals are competing for the six commissioner roles. The interviews, taking place at the College of Insurance in Nairobi, are expected to be rigorous, focusing on candidates' experience, integrity, and vision for the IEBC. The selection panel is tasked with carefully assessing each candidate's qualifications while addressing the legal and ethical concerns raised by stakeholders. The reconstitution of the IEBC is considered vital for restoring public trust in Kenya's electoral system, which has been severely eroded.

Ahead of scheduled interviews for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson position, petitions have been filed challenging the candidacies of Mr Nyachae and Ms Mdivo, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and eligibility. Operation Linda Jamii has lodged a petition arguing that Mr Nyachae and Ms Mdivo are ineligible due to their current roles as public office holders. Mr Nyachae chairs the Council of the Kenya School of Government, while Ms Mdivo is the chairperson of the Kenya Power Board and heads the United Democratic Alliance party Electoral Disputes Resolution Committee.

The petition cites Article 260 of the Constitution, which prohibits holding multiple state offices simultaneously. The lobby contends that allowing individuals with political affiliations or existing state employment into the IEBC compromises the institution's independence and public trust. The petition, filed at the High Court in Naivasha, has drawn interest from the Law Society of Kenya and the Katiba Institute, who have joined the matter as interested parties. Petitioners seek a court order to prevent Mr Nyachae and Ms Mdivo from participating in the interviews pending resolution of the case.

A separate youth lobby group, the Kenya Youth Organisation, has also questioned Mr Nyachae’s suitability, citing concerns about his impartiality based on his professional history. Meanwhile, Mohamed Dagane, former Nairobi Roads and Transport county executive, is among the 105 candidates vying for the six commissioner positions. Dagane brings over 17 years of public and private sector leadership experience to the table. His resume includes serving as a county executive committee member for Roads, Transport, and Public Works.

The IEBC positions were officially declared vacant by President William Ruto in February and March 2023. The IEBC selection panel advertised the positions on February 1, 2025, almost two years after the initial declaration. The recruitment process, which began in March 2023, faced a significant delay before resuming on January 27, 2025, with the appointment of a new seven-member panel.