President William Ruto has received the report on the recruitment of nominees to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), marking a key step in the reconstitution of the country’s electoral body.

In a statement posted on his X account on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, Ruto confirmed that the IEBC Selection Panel had submitted the list of proposed candidates for the positions of Chairperson and Members of the Commission at State House, Nairobi.

“This morning, I received the report on the recruitment of nominees for the positions of Chairperson and Members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) from the IEBC Selection Panel, State House, Nairobi,” Ruto stated.

He commended the panel, chaired by Dr. Nelson Makanda, for what he described as diligent and commendable work.

“I commend the panel, chaired by Dr Nelson Makanda, for their diligent and commendable work,” he added.

Ruto also affirmed that he would now move to the next step as required by law, assuring that the process will adhere strictly to constitutional provisions.

“In accordance with the provisions of the IEBC Act, I will nominate and transmit the names to the National Assembly in full fidelity to the constitutional principles that guide our system of governance,” he said.

IEBC selection panel

The selection panel, which was appointed by Ruto on January 27, 2025, began interviewing applicants on March 27, 2025, for the vacant IEBC positions.

Out of the 110 shortlisted candidates, only 106 appeared before the panel for interviews.

The panel concluded the interviews on April 25, 2025, and subsequently retreated to finalise the nominees’ report.

According to the IEBC Act, the panel was required to recommend two nominees for the position of Chairperson and nine for the six Commissioner slots within a 90-day window.

On April 2, 2025, Parliament extended the tenure of the panel, which was set to lapse on April 27, 2025, by 14 days from April 28, 2025.

Eleven candidates were interviewed for the role of Chairperson, including former Judiciary Chief Registrar Anne Amadi and former Chairperson of the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution, Charles Nyachae.

Other candidates included Saul Simiyu Wasilwa, Abdulqadir Lorot Ramadhan, Joy Mdivo, Edward Katama Ngeywa, Erastus Edung Ethekon, Francis Kakai Kissinger, Jacob Ngwele Muvengei, Lilian Wanjiku Manegene, and Robert Akumu Asembo.