Elections observer questions why IEBC report was only submitted to Ruto

In a statement dated May 8, ELOG expressed concerns over why the critical document was not made public, puncturing the transparency and accountability of the selection process.

"The failure to release the recruitment report will only deepen suspicions and promote unnecessary speculations," read the statement in part demanding that the report needs to be publicized.

President Ruto received the report on May 6 at State House, Nairobi, from the IEBC Selection Panel led by Dr. Nelson Makanda, following the conclusion of a comprehensive vetting and interview process. 

President Ruto commended the panel for what he termed "commendable and diligent work" in executing their mandate.

The Selection Panel wrapped up the interviews for the chairperson position on March 26, having assessed 11 candidates.

On May 8, President Ruto nominated Erastus Edung Ethekon as the new IEBC Chairperson.

Subject to Parliamentary approval, Ethekon - the former Turkana County Attorney - will replace the late ex-IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati, who died in February this year.

The Head of State also nominated six IEBC Commissioners from various regions, among them Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu (Nyandarua).

The others are: Moses Alutalala Mukhwana (Kakamega), Mary Karen Sorobit (Uasin Gishu), Hassan Noor Hassan (Mandera), Francis Odhiambo Aduol (Kisumu), and Fahima Araphat Abdallah (Lamu).