IEBC Selection Panel says new Commissioners to be unveiled in 85 days, urges qualified Kenyans to apply

The IEBC Selection Panel now says the new electoral team will be ready in 85 days.

In a lengthy closed-door meeting on Friday, the panel laid down its timelines and now wants Kenyans who want to work as IEBC Commissioners to begin sending their applications immediately.

The panel, in its inaugural meeting, elected their Chair and Vice Chairperson and set the ball rolling ending the long protracted wait of the process.

In a statement released to newsrooms later in the evening, the Selection Panel Chair Nelson Makanda told members of the public that those who are interested in working the electoral body to send their applications starting Saturday, February 1, in what is now turning to be a race against time.

The panel said for the next 85 days or less, they have undertaken to ensure that they deliver on their mandate of giving Kenyans the next Chairperson and members of the IEBC.

It further assured Kenyans that it will conduct a transparent process in order to boost confidence for the new electoral body.

This came as Chief Justice Martha Koome called on other arms of government to respect independent institutions, particularly the IEBC, and allow it to deliver its constitutional mandate.

“Strong institutions are the bedrock of our democracy…IEBC must be allowed to work independently, free from political interference,” she said.

The beginning of the selection of the new IEBC team has also been met with pressure of election stakeholders who are now calling on the Selection Panel to expedite the process but ensure it is above board.

Muli Musau, from the Elections Observation Group (ELOG), said: “We are asking stakeholders, especially the political class, to respect the process and allow the panel deliver on its mandate.”

The observers also want Parliament to play its part and pass election related legislation that are pending in parliament

Transparency International’s Sheila Masinde said: “We expect Parliament to also do what they are supposed to do to pass the campaign financing regulations bills...”

ELGIA’s Felix Odhiambo, on his part, noted: “The issue of boundaries is pending…we need to see whether we will agree through Parliament on the timelines of the boundaries...”

The IEBC Secretariat has since hinted that even with the new team in place within the 85 days, it will still be a tall order to have boundaries delimitation before the next General Election.

The boundaries review, if conducted as per the Constitution, could affect 27 constituencies that have not met the population requirement as set out in the review formula.