Trust deficit ailing IEBC: Joy Mdivo tells interviewing panel

Joy Masinde Mdivo, a candidate for the position of chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), has pledged to restore public confidence in the electoral body if appointed.

Mdivo, who was the final candidate to appear before the interviewing panel on Tuesday, emphasized that her 23 years of experience as an advocate and human rights defender would be instrumental in reforming the commission.

"If approved, I will prioritize investing in human capital to ensure staff are adequately trained. Additionally, there is a need to adopt advanced technology to facilitate seamless and efficient transmission of election results," she stated.

She underscored the importance of smooth communication between polling stations and tallying centers, ensuring that results align with figures provided by election observers and other stakeholders.

Mdivo, currently serving as the chairperson of the Kenya Power Board of Directors, also advocated for reducing the IEBC's financial reliance on the government, suggesting innovative cost-cutting measures.

"Outsourcing ballot papers is expensive and burdens the commission. Why not engage local institutions such as Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology to handle such tasks?" she proposed.

Her candidacy, however, has faced opposition. Last week, the civil society group Operation Linda Jamii filed a petition seeking to bar her from the interviews, citing concerns over her impartiality. 

The group claimed that Mdivo chairs the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party’s Electoral Disputes Resolution Committee, raising questions about her ability to oversee elections fairly.

Mdivo has previously served as an accredited IEBC election observer and has been involved in adjudicating election disputes in past general elections.

The interview process for the IEBC chair position continues on Wednesday.