Nandi County Senator Samson Cherargei has voiced his disappointment with the selection panel tasked with recruiting nominees for appointment as the chairperson and members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).  

Speaking in the Senate on Thursday, April 3, 2025, Cherargei accused the panel chaired by Nelson Makanda of conducting a substandard vetting process, questioning their ability to uphold integrity in the recruitment exercise.  

“I was disappointed with the selection panel. I expected very serious questions of integrity, but the selection panel of IEBC are underwhelming,” he remarked.  

Harsh stance

According to the outspoken senator, the vetting process lacked depth, with the panel failing of ask substantial questions to the candidates.

He described the process as “pedestrian” and “an exercise in futility,” criticizing the panellists for what he saw as a lack of expertise in handling such a crucial national task.  

“They have been asking kindergarten, underwhelming, and pedestrian-level questions, Madam Speaker…The selection panel did not know what they were doing, and therefore, it is very unfortunate,” Cherargei added. 

The senator, known for his forthright opinions, particularly took issue with the intellectual rigour of the interview process.

“I have not seen serious engagements. Even having people who have PhDs—that is why I said that we have very many brilliant fools in this country who masquerade and do,” he remarked, suggesting that academic qualifications among panel members had not translated to effective interviewing.

Panel’s support

The senator, however, stated that despite his reservations about the panel’s effectiveness, he supported an extension of time for the selection process, citing the need to meet constitutional deadlines and ensure the greater good of the country.  

“We are supporting the extension of time for the selection panel for the recruitment of nominees for appointment as the chairperson and members of the IEBC, but looking at the content that the selection panel was doing to vet and interview those interviewees it was just an exercise in futility,” he stated.  

Similar criticism

Cherargei’s remarks come days after Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna also criticized the IEBC selection panel’s interview methodology.

In a statement posted on his X account on March 25, 2025, Sifuna expressed frustration with the ongoing interviews, questioning the effectiveness of the panel’s approach to assessing potential commission members.

“I’m not sure what this IEBC selection panel is looking for in these applicants,” Sifuna stated.

The ODM Secretary General specifically criticized panel members for asking “long, windy questions” that he believes do not adequately explore the candidates’ qualifications and unique attributes.

He argued that the current interview method fails to effectively highlight candidates’ strengths or assess their qualifications for the crucial leadership role.

“The members have long, windy questions that don’t seem to be helping to bring out the unique attributes of the candidates that qualify them for the job,” Sifuna wrote.