Kenyans have been monitoring interviews of candidates to fill slots on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) after protracted battles in the political arena.

The magnitude of the task assigned to the IEBC makes it the most consequential of the Chapter 15 commissions.

Under Article 249 of the Constitution, the IEBC is mandated to protect the sovereignty of the people, secure the observance by all State organs of democratic values and principles, and promote constitutionalism.

The role of the IEBC is particularly critical in safeguarding democratic competition, especially in a country where elections tend to be dangerously polarising.

 As outlined in Article 88 of the supreme law, the IEBC is responsible for conducting or supervising referenda and elections to any elective body or office Its role is to conduct continuous registration of citizens as voters, regularly revise the voters’ roll, redraw constituency and ward boundaries, register candidates for elections, and carry out voter education.

Given the short period remaining before the next election, the appointment of members of the IEBC is long overdue. As the Nelson Makanda-led selection panel retreats to select nominees for the commission jobs, uncertainty still lingers, as the lobby group Operation Linda Jamii has petitioned the High Court to nullify the list, citing bias and political favouritism.

During the month-long interview process, shortlisted candidates were taken to task on how they would navigate the short period they will be in office before the 2027 polls on electoral matters, cost of elections, the technology to be deployed and the results management system.

This even as the IEBC maintained that for them to conduct credible 2027 polls, they need at least Sh61 billion, an amount pundits argue is expensive for a developing country and democracy such as Kenya.

 But of major concern is the credibility of the individuals to be appointed to the commission.

 We urge the panel to be guided by merit, competence and the Constitution to ensure the composition of the next IEBC is beyond reproach.

That is why we are alarmed by murmurs that the outcome is already predetermined. The panel must put the country first