After months of waiting, push and pull within the political circles, President William Ruto has finally appointed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission(IEBC) selection panel to oversee the process of selecting IEBC Commissioners.

In a gazette notice on Monday, January 27, 2025, the head of state settled on nine individuals to sit on that critical panel that would help fully constitute the electoral body expected to oversee the 2027 polls.

Ruto picked Kiome Lindah Gakii, Communication professional Oloo Adams, James Evans Misati, Nicodemus Kipchirchir Bore, Ambassador Koki Muli Grignon, Carolene Kituku Tanui Andrew Kipkoech, Nelson Makanda and Fatuma Saman to be members of the panel.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 7A of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, as read with paragraph 1 (2) of the First Schedule to the Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint (the 9-member team) to be Members of the Selection Panel for the Recruitment of nominees for appointment as the Chairperson and Members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission,” read the notice in part.

In a statement, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed confirmed the appointment indicating that it was done following the lifting of orders that had barred the process.

“President William Ruto has appointed the selection panel for the recruitment of nominees for the positions of Chairperson and members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The appointment follows last Friday’s High Court decision, which lifted the earlier court orders that had barred their appointment,” Hussein Mohamed explained.

Reconstitution hurdle

The offices fell vacant on January 17, 2023, following the end of the tenure of Wafula Chebukati, and commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye.

Former retired President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed the trio in January 2017 alongside four others who resigned after the 2017 General Elections.

However, the reconstitution process faced headwinds due to various court cases that stalled the process. It took an explosive speech by Supreme Court Judge Isaac Lenaola for other stakeholders to pile pressure on IEBC’s reconstitution.

Lenaola made it clear that the country was staring at a crisis with no IEBC in place thus challenging Kenyans to create hashtags to push for its reconstitution.

“I am one of those Judges who are not limited in expressing my mind. I speak my mind. Mtanipeleka wapi? si Manyata ni hapa Samburu. I don’t understand why we are busy passing legislation very quickly on other subjects that are politically important but we don’t look at what is extremely important for this country.

“For example the Electoral Commission, how can a country like ours stand on her feet if we do not have an electoral commission? Elections are in 2027, this is 2024, when will this commission be prepared?” he posed.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta also called on President Ruto to expedite the process following their meeting at his home in Kiambu County.

President William Ruto has appointed the selection panel for the recruitment of nominees for the positions of Chairperson and members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The appointment follows last Friday’s High Court decision, which lifted the earlier… pic.twitter.com/CCwCKCZco1

— Hussein Mohamed, MBS. (@HusseinMohamedg) January 27, 2025