Saboti Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Caleb Amisi has called on Kenyans to shift their focus to voter mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Taking to his official X account on Saturday, April 12, 2025, Amisi downplayed the role of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson, urging Kenyans not to concentrate on his/her selection at the moment.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) lawmaker argued that the identity of the IEBC chair is irrelevant for Kenya’s elections, citing the 2002 election where the then Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) chairperson Samuel Kivuitu announced Mwai Kibaki as the winner due to the unified National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) support, showing that strong public consensus can override institutional bias given that the then president Daniel Moi had his preferred candidate on the ballot.

Importance of mobilisation

Amisi further emphasises mobilising Kenyans to achieve a 70 per cent voter consensus for a clear mandate. He argues that with proper voter mobilisation, Kenyans can easily win, irrespective of the type of the IEBC chair that will be at the helm of the 2027 elections.

“Where Kenya is now, it does not matter who becomes the #IEBC chair. They can even put Itumbi or Farouk. In 2002, ECK was led by the worst in our democratic history, but they could not announce Moi’s favourite against the rainbow team led by Kibaki and Raila.

“When Kenyans are unanimous, the winner shall be announced in broad daylight by whoever is sitting inside the Bomas. Stop focusing on who should be chair; you will never have control. Instead, start mobilising Kenyans towards the 70 per cent mark,” Amisi stated.

Where Kenya is now, it does not matter who becomes the #IEBC chair. They can even put Itumbi or Farouk. In 2002, ECK was led by the worst in our democratic history, but they could not announce Moi's favourite against the rainbow team led by Kibaki and Raila. When Kenyans are…

— Hon. Caleb Amisi, MP (@Honcalebamisi) April 12, 2025

IEBC chairperson interviews

Amisi’s remarks come as Kenyans anxiously wait for the announcement of the next IEBC chairperson after the commission’s selection panel, led by Nelson Makanda, concluded the interviews of 11 candidates who presented themselves for the position of chairperson of the electoral body ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, Makanda noted that with the completion of the first part of the interviews, focus would now shift to the IEBC commissioner interviews, which are still going on.

“The selection panel for the recruitment of the nominees for appointment to the position of chairperson and members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission is pleased to announce the successful completion of the interview process that commenced on Monday, March 24, 2025, and has come to an end today, Wednesday, March 26, 2025,” Makanda said.

“We are happy to report that all 11 shortlisted candidates availed themselves to participate in the interview process. With this conclusion of the chairperson’s interviews, the panel will now proceed with the interviews for candidates shortlisted for the position of member, and these interviews will start on Thursday, March 27, 2025, and continue until Friday, April 25, 2025.”