President Ruto declares vacancies for IEBC chair, 5 commissioners

In a Gazette Notice dated February 14, 2023, the president declared six out of seven positions open pending the hearing and determination of a case against suspended Commissioner Irene Masit.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 7A (2) of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, 2011 as read with paragraph I (I) of the First Schedule to the Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, declare vacancies in the positions of—(a) Chairperson; and (b) Five Members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission,” Read the notice.

Three of the positions fell vacant following the retirement of former Chairperson Wafula Chebukati and commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye whose six-year non-renewable term came to an end last month. 

The other three slots were left vacant following the resignation of Commissioners; Juliana Cherera, Justus Nyangáya and Francis Wanderi late last year.

Last month, the head of state signed the IEBC (Amendment) Bill 2022 into law setting the stage for the formation of a seven-member selection panel to recruit the new commissioners.

The Selection Panel will feature representatives of the Parliamentary Service Commission, the Public Service Commission (PSC), the Political Parties Liaison Committee (PPLC), the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), and the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya.

The Bill passed saw the Parliamentary Service Commission and the Inter-religious Council of Kenya allocated two members (a man and a woman) each while the PSC, PPLC and LSK had one member nominated to the panel.

The opposition Azimio La Umoja -One Kenya Coalition however reads mischief, saying the IEBC (Amendment) Act of 2022 gives the Kenya Kwanza coalition an upper hand in recruiting the new commissioners of the poll body, a move that will open a new battlefront in Parliament.