Junet moves to extend IEBC selection panel’s tenure by 14 days

Arnold Ngure 01st April, 2025 07:17 PM

National Assembly leader of the minority party Junet Mohamed is seeking to extend the tenure of the nine-member Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel by 14 days.

In a notice of motion at the National Assembly on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Junet argues that given the number of candidates the panel has to interview, there is need for the extension.

“Vide gazette notice 715 of January 27, 2025, President William Ruto appointed members of the selection panel for the recruitment of nominees for the appointment as the chairperson and members of the IEBC. Noting that upon the appointment, the selection panel commenced the recruitment process, longlisted all applicants and subsequently shortlisted qualified applicants for the position of chairperson and members of the IEBC,” Junet said.

“Further noting that paragraph 6(i) of the first schedule of the IEBC Act cap 7 (c) provides that the selection panel shall finalise the recruitment exercise within 90 days of its appointment and forward the names of the nominees to the president.”

Tight Interview schedule

The selection panel is currently conducting interviews for the six members of the IEBC following the finalization of the chairperson’s interviews, where prominent names, including Charles Nyachae, Anne Amadi and Joy Mdivo, are gunning for the top job.

“Conscious that the selection panel is currently undertaking the interviews of the shortlisted candidates and given the interview schedule of all shortlisted applicants, the panel has inadequate time to conclude the recruitment process,” Junet noted

IEBC selection panel chairperson Nelson Makanda takes oath of office on January 27, 2025. PHOTO/https://web.facebook.com/ParliamentKE

“Further conscious of the need for the selection panel to ensure the recruitment process complies with the constitutional principles of regional balance, representation of the youth and overall inclusivity while ensuring that the interviews are conducted as far as practicable within the official working days and hours,” he added.

More days

The selection panel began the interviews of the 110 candidates jostling for the positions of six commissioners of the IEBC on March 27, 2025, in an exercise which is set to conclude on Friday, April 25, 2025.

While the panel’s tenure is only 90 days, during which period it should come up with two successful candidates for the chairperson of the IEBC and nine for the positions of six commissioners, Junet is seeking a two-week extension from April 27, 2025, to allow the panelists to conclude their interviews.

“Therefore, pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 6(ii) of the first schedule to the IEBC Act Cap 7 (c), the house of parliament resolves to extend the tenure of the selection panel for the recruitment of persons appointed as chairperson and members of the IEBC for a period of 14 days from April 27, 2025,” Junet said.