PSC nominates new ECK boss

The Parliamentary Select Committee on the Constitution has nominated lawyer Ahmed Issack Hassan as chairman of the Independent Interim Electoral Commission.

Mr Hassan will now wait for approval from Parliament before appointment by the executive.

He now joins the proposed IIEC commissioners: Tiyah Galgalo (Eastern), Hamara Ibrahim Adan (North Eastern), Kenneth Nyaundi (Nyanza), Dr Yusuf Nzibo (Nairobi), Winfred Waceke Guchu (Central), Davis Chirchir (Rift Valley) and  Abiud Wekesa (Western) for the all-important body.

Mr Hassan was interviewed together with retired Major James Oswago, Mr Duncan Mwanyumba and Ms Jane Nyaboke Njagi.

The four , together with former National Assembly Speaker Francis ole Kaparo, former Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Chairman Maina Kiai, were then considered for the job.

Former executive director of the Institute for Education in Democracy Koki Muli and lawyers Wachira Maina, Murshid Abdalla Mohammed and Jackson Kagwe had also lined up for the job.

While making the announcement, PSC chairman Mohammed Abdikadir said that since the list had been arrived at through consensus it was his hope that Parliament would endorse it.

The new nominee also expressed the same sentiments saying he would make further comments on his appointment once he has been endorsed.

"I am happy that I have been appointed by the PSC and will await endorsement by parliament after which I can make more comments," Mr Hassan told the Nation in his office.

A list of nominees presented to parliament was rejected after allegations were tabled in the house against Mr Miller, who was the proposed chairman.

Mr Abdikadir has since cleared Mr Miller from the allegations saying that the process was muddled by political intrigues.