Here is what you need to know to keep up to speed with today’s happenings.

IEBC applicants

The process of reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) got a massive boost on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, after the selection panel revealed the number of applicants who have expressed interest in being either chairperson or commissioner of the IEBC.

According to the chair, the names will be published in two newspapers with national circulation, the parliamentary website and the Kenya Gazette on Thursday, March 6, 2025.

In a statement by the IEBC selection panel chairperson Nelson Makanda on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, more people who expressed interest in becoming IEBC chairperson came from Homa Bay County with 5, followed by Kisii, Bungoma and Trans-Nzoia counties with three candidates. Siaya, Nyeri and Baringo counties had two each while the rest had one or none. Three are persons living with disabilities.

“The Panel updated Kenyans on the total number of applications received at the close of the application process as 1848. Since then, the panel undertook a careful and thorough review of all email and hard copy applications received,” part of Makanda’s statement read.

“Following the longlisting exercise, the Selection Panel shall now proceed to undertake the shortlisting process, the list of which will also be published soon before proceeding with the interviews,” Makanda added.

The selection panel is set to conduct interviews for the chairperson and commissioners of the IEBC before finalizing the process by April 25, 2025.

After that, the selection panel will present two names for the position of chairperson of the IEBC where President William Ruto will pick one.

The selection panel will equally present nine names to Ruto for the positions of commissioners where the president will choose six.

Pope’s health

People across the world continue to follow the updates on Pope’s health with bated breath.

According to an update from Vatican on Wednesday, March 5 2025, the Pope has been showing considerable progress.

Pope Francis was well-rested and woke up just after 08:00 local time (07:00 GMT) on Wednesday, the Vatican said.

However, his traditional Wednesday audience with Catholics has been cancelled for the third week as he continues to recuperate.

The Pope has been in hospital for more than two weeks now.

Ash Wednesday observance

Christian and Anglican devotees will continue commemorating Ash Wednesday, a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations during which Christians prepare us for Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which they attain redemption.

The observance started on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, and will continue for the next 40 days, during which the devotees engage in penance, fasting, and reflection leading up to Easter Sunday on April 20, 2025.

Reactions to House Committee Changes:

Heated discussions are set to revolve around the alterations made by the parliamentary Committee on the floor of the house on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

Through a motion moved by South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro, the shake-up saw three Key allies of former Deputy President Rigahti Gachagua demoted to less influential committees, with the Orange Democratic Movement poised to grab five additional committee chair positions.

MPs Wanjiku Muhia, James Gakuya, and Onesimus Ngogoyo, all allies of Gachagua, were stripped of their committee roles.

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro was also stripped of his role as the chairperson of the budget and appropriation committee.

He was, however, retained as a member of the budget and appropriations committee.