Chief Justice Martha Koome has revealed the critical role played by the judiciary in expediting and resolving the standoff around the formation of the IEBC selection panel.
President William Ruto on Monday, January 27, 2025, finally appointed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel to oversee the process of selecting IEBC Commissioners.
The move paved the way for the reconstitution of an office that fell vacant on January 17, 2023, following the end of the tenure of Wafula Chebukati, and commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye.
Judiciary input
Prior efforts to reconstitute the body had been met with obstacles with various court cases that stalled the process.
In view of the delays, Koome observed that she took the responsibility upon herself to prioritise the cases touching on the selection panel in the spirit of facilitating progress.
“Recognizing the urgency of this matter, I personally took responsibility to ensure that all cases affecting or delaying the constitution of the IEBC were prioritised for resolution. Justice must never be an obstacle to progress; it must be the very foundation upon which a just and democratic society is built,” Koome said in a letter she addressed the new panel.
She further implored other relevant stakeholders to exercise their due diligence and grant Kenyans a functioning commission.
“Today, I urge all institutions and stakeholders involved in this process—Parliament, political actors, civil society, and the public—to ensure that the recruitment of new IEBC Commissioners is conducted with speed, integrity, and transparency. The Kenyan people expect and deserve nothing less,” Koome pleaded.
The nine
Among the professionals tasked with this include; Kiome Lindah Gakii, Communication professional Oloo Adams, James Evans Misati, Nicodemus Kipchirchir Bore, and Ambassador Koki Muli Grignon.
Others are Carolene Kituku Tanui Andrew Kipkoech, Nelson Makanda and Fatuma Saman.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Masika Wetang’ula has unveiled plans to accord the newly appointed Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel all the necessities for them to execute their mandate.
Speaking on Monday, January 27, 2025 moments after the confirmation of the nine names set to be tasked with the critical role of constituting the electoral body to oversee the 2027 election, Wetangula discloses that the panel will be accorded a secretariat service as well as a budget that will be met by a constituted parliamentary service commission.
“Following the gazettement of the members of the IEBC Selection Panel by President William Ruto this morning, I have communicated to the Secretary to the Parliamentary Service Commission, Jeremiah Nyegenye to put in place all the necessary arrangements required to facilitate the work of the Panel as obligated by the law,” Wetang’ula revealed.
“The Act obligates the Commission to provide secretariat services, facilities to the Panel and to meet its expenditure,” he added.
