Who will take IEBC job? Nyachae or Anne Amadi
By George Kebaso, May 7, 2025The race for the chairmanship of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has reportedly narrowed to former Judiciary Chief Registrar Anne Amadi and her former counterpart at the Constitution Implementation Committee, Charles Nyachae.
This is after President William Ruto formally received the report on the recruitment of nominees for the positions of Chairperson and Commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
This now marks a significant step toward reconstituting the country’s electoral body that has been in place over the last two years, paralysing several activities and operations of the commission.
Members of the IEBC Selection Panel led by Dr Nelson Makanda, handed over the report to President Ruto yesterday at State House following the conclusion of a comprehensive vetting and interview process that lasted almost a month.
Sources intimated to the People Daily members of the panel had settled on Ms Amadi and Nyachae as the front-runners, with the former judiciary boss having emerged the best performer.
Complicate matters
Other sources indicated that the entry of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i could complicate matters for Nyachae, who is said to be the later’s former’s paternal cousin. Matiang’i is the son to the sister of the late Simeon Nyachae, the father to the Charles Nyachae.
Other candidates who had been assessed for the position were 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.
The President is now expected to nominate one of the two and forward it to the National Assembly for vetting and approval.
“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 at State House, Nairobi,” he said in a statement.
The president promised to uphold constitutional procedures while nominating the shortlisted candidates before forwarding their names to the National Assembly for vetting and approval.
“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 noted.
Restore IEBC operations
President Ruto underscored the urgency of restoring the IEBC’s operational capacity, citing its pivotal role in safeguarding democratic processes and ensuring timely, transparent electoral planning.
“The restoration of a fully functional and credible electoral commission is essential to the consolidation of our democracy and the rule of law,” he added.
Of the 111 individuals shortlisted for Member positions, 107 were interviewed, following the withdrawal of four candidates for personal reasons. The panel faced credibility questions after it emerged that names of six candidates were sneaked onto the list as the interviews were going after the number of candidates vying for the position rose to 111 as of Wednesday from the initial 105.
Opposition chiefs led by Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) leader Kalonzo Musyoka and members of the civil society questioned the rationale used to add the names and threatened to move to court.
But while defending the move, Dr. Makanda said the recruitment process was conducted in strict adherence to legal and constitutional requirements, with considerations for inclusivity, regional balance, and youth representation.
Upon confirmation by the National Assembly, the new commissioners will have to hit the road running as they have a full in-tray with time running out for preparations for the 2027 General Election.
The team will have to move fast to hold by-elections in at least 19 constituencies, address the delayed boundaries delimitation, recruitment of senior IEBC staff , preparation for 2027 General Election by procuring election materials and voter registration.
Mini-elections have been pending in Malava, Mbeere North, Baringo county, Banisa, Magarini, Ugunja and Kariobangi North, among others.
And with President Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga pushing for some reforms through the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report to anchor their new found broamnce, the new commissioners could find themselves being pushed to hold a national referendum.
The NADCO report recommended for the establishment of positions of Prime Minister and official leader of the opposition, anchoring the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), National Government Affirmative Action Fund and the Senate Oversight Fund in the Constitution, which requires a national plebiscite.