IEBC selection panel assures new electoral body will in office by May

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel has assured the country that there will be a new electoral body in office by the end of April quelling fears of a constitutional crisis.

The selection body noted that over 300 people had so far applied for positions of commissioners ahead of the application deadline on February 15, 2025.

This came as the panel assured the country that they would select credible people to steer the country into the next General Election.

Addressing the press in Naivasha, the panel vice-chairperson Linda Kiome said that they expected the number of applicants to rise before the deadline.

She said that soon after the deadline, the panel would start vetting those qualified before conducting interviews and handing over the names to the President on April 25th.

“At this rate, we expect that the country will have a new election commission by May to start preparing for the next General Election,” she said.

Kiome said that the panel was up to the task of selecting appropriate and right people to the commission having learnt from the previous electoral bodies.

“The application process is going on smoothly and once the vetting exercise kicks off, we shall adhere to the Constitution and give out the best nominees,” she said.

On the issue of a court petition challenging the nomination of one of the panel members, Kiome said that they had not been served with any court order stopping the process.

She said that the panel was a law-abiding body that would obey court orders if served in regard to its composition or the position of any member.

“We have not received any injunction so far and we are keen on stakeholders’ engagement so that we produce the best for this country,” she said.

On his part, the chair of the panel, Nelson Makanda said a total of 339 people had applied for positions as Commissioners in the electoral body.