Kibwana, Oginde in 14-person race for EACC top job
By Alvin.Mwangi, February 22, 2023Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana is among 14-member list of shortlisted candidates for the position of Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) chairperson.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) has also shortlisted retired Christ is the Answer Ministries (CITAM) Bishop David Oginde to replace former chairman, former Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) head Eliud Wabukala.
From the list, Kibwana will be the first to face the interviewing panel on Monday.
Others to be interviewed on the same date is a former commissioner with Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Thomas Letangule, Benjamin Adam Mure Mweri, Abdihafid Abdullahi Yarow, Amani Yuda Komora, Kaberia Isaac Kubai and Eliud Wanjao Ngige.
Oginde will face the interviewing panel on Tuesday same as constitutional lawyer Charles Kanjama, Susan Nekesa Ngera, Josiah B Onyancha, Norah Chepkemoi Mutai, Kenneth Sakwa Buliba and Junta Wawira Mwangi.
The successful candidate will take over from Wabukala who left the commission after the expiry of his term on January 17 after being at the helm of the commission for six years. He was appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2016.
President William Ruto’s strong alliance with the church may put Kibwana and Oginde ahead of the pack. Both played key roles in the Kenya Kwanza presidential victory and because of their close proximity to the President, they are considered as the favourites for the post.
Oginde was part of the key members of the clergy who supported Ruto in the presidential elections.
After interviews, the PSC will send the name of the qualified applicant to the President, who will transmit it to Parliament for approval in line with the EACC Act.
“The president shall, within 14 days of receipt of the name of the successful applicant forwarded, select the person to fill the vacancy in the commission and forward the name of the person to the National Assembly for approval,” says the EACC Act.
The EACC chair serves a single term of six years and is not eligible for reappointment.
EACC has had its share of challenges since inception in 2010, and Wabukala is the first EACC chairman to complete the six-year tenure. He replaced Philip Kinisu who was thrown out of office in 2016 after being implicated in the Sh791 million NYS scandal.
Lawyer PLO Lumumba was its first chairman in September 2010 but would leave in August 2011 under a cloud of controversy after MPs passed a motion of no confidence against him.
In his last message to President Ruto, Wabukala exuded confidence he had left a strong and stable anti-graft body with a strategic focus on asset recovery, law enforcement and education.
“I want to assure you that as I leave, EACC is stable with a strategic focus on asset recovery, law enforcement, education and awareness for people to understand that corruption will not help us as a country.”
EACC has had its share of challenges since inception in 2010, and Wabukala is the first EACC chairman to complete the six-year tenure. He replaced Philip Kinisu who was thrown out of office in 2016 after being implicated in the Sh791 million NYS scandal.
Lawyer PLO Lumumba was its first chairman in September 2010 but would leave in August 2011 under a cloud of controversy after MPs passed a motion of no confidence against him.
EACC chief executive Twalib Mbarak announced Wabukala’s exit on Tuesday, praising his focused and steady style of leadership in steering the agency in the right direction.
And in his last message to President Ruto, Wabukala exuded confidence he had left a strong and stable anti-graft body with a strategic focus on asset recovery, law enforcement and education.
“I want to assure you that as I leave, EACC is stable with a strategic focus on asset recovery, law enforcement, education and awareness for people to understand that corruption will not help us as a country.”