IEBC nominees to be known by June

The names of the four individuals to fill in the vacant positions at the electoral agency will be known in June, the selection panel has announced.

The panel headed by Dr Elizabeth Muli said it expects to select and forward the names of the qualified candidates for the position of members of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to the President for formal appointment by June 9.

Addressing a news conference yesterday after they were sworn in, the panel, however, clarified that although the timelines it has provided were provisional and ambitious they are achievable.

“Selection panel calls upon all persons who have a role to play in the process that will culminate in the appointment of commissioners to play their roles expeditiously.

We shall keep the public duly informed of the progress of this important assignment through press statements,” said Muli.

According to the timelines, the panel will advertise the four vacant positions on May 1 in at least two national dailies.

The panel to be chaired by Muli will get down to business after inviting qualified applicants for interviews after 14 days beginning the date of the gazettement and advertisement.

In a press briefing yesterday evening the Muli-led panel charged that soon after they were sworn in by acting Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu at the Supreme Court, they among other things considered secretariat and administrative arrangements, draft rules of procedure and work.

Mwilu on Wednesday swore-in the six members of the IEBC selection panel, leaving out the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) representative Dorothy Jemator.

The six sworn-in are Dr Muli, Farudin Suleiman, Elizabeth Odundo Meyo, Gideon Solonka, Awori James Achoka and Father Joseph Mutie.

“The members of the Selection panel elected Muli and Awori as its chairperson and vice, respectively.

The panel subsequently considered secretariat administrative arrangement, draft rules of procedure and work plan,” said Muli on behalf of the team.

Invite applicants

“The panel will receive application for a total of 14 days from the date of advertisement.

We will thereafter take a longlisting exercise and subsequently publish the names of all applicants and their qualifications in the Kenya gazette and the in the Parliamentary Service Commission website,” said Muli.

The shortlisting exercise will follow soon after and the names of the shortlisted candidates announced by May 24.

“It, however, needs to be noted the interview dates could vary depending on the number of applications received and the number of persons shortlisted,” said Muli.