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A Senate committee wants applicants for top positions at the electoral agency to have at least 10 years of experience in their field of study.

Discussing proposed changes to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee wants to raise the bar for commissioners.

“The committee proposes an amendment to clause 3 to make it a requirement for persons appointed as commissioners to have at least 10 years proven experience in the field one is qualified in,” a report from the committee says.

The committee has already endorsed the proposed law, which, among other things, bars the IEBC vice chairperson from taking up the role of chairperson when a vacancy opens up.

“The proposed amendment barring other persons from performing the duties of the chairperson of the commission sought to align the Act with the court’s judgement,” the committee said.

In its report tabled in the House, the committee, chaired by Hillary Sigei (Bomet), argued that the IEBC needs to have highly qualified commissioners. Lawmakers also want prospective commissioners to have Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills among other requirements.

“The committee also noted the need for commissioners to have experience in their areas of qualification for them to efficiently and effectively undertake their duties,” the report says.

The bill, which has already been passed by the National Assembly, is among the legislation proposed by the National Dialogue Committee.

The existing Act provides that the chairperson of the IEBC be a person qualified to hold the office of judge of the Supreme Court under the Constitution.