IEBC nominees to face Parliament on Tuesday

What you need to know:

  • Mr Wafula Chebukati, who is slated to succeed Issack Hassan, as chairman, will be the first to face the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee to defend his suitability for the post.
  • President Kenyatta received a list of two nominees for the chairperson and nine for commissioners from the IEBC selection panel.

The vetting of candidates nominated for appointment to the electoral commission starts on Tuesday, amid mixed reactions about their suitability.

Mr Wafula Chebukati, who is slated to succeed Issack Hassan, as chairman, will be the first to face the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee to defend his suitability for the post.

President Kenyatta received a list of two nominees for the chairperson and nine for commissioners from the IEBC selection panel.

Mr Kenyatta settled on Mr Chebukati leaving out Mr Tukero ole Kina, who was widely viewed as the most appropriate nominee, given that IEBC Chief Executive Officer Ezra Chiloba comes from the same region with Mr Chebukati.

But, questions have been raised about his suitability for the position following concerns that other candidates performed better than him during interviews.

The panel chaired by Bernadette Musundi has since defended themselves saying the team did not receive any memoranda linking Mr Chebukati to any wrong doing.

Three other candidates; Ms Consolata Nkatha Bucha Maina, Mr Boya Molu and Dr Roselyne Kwamboka Akombe, are slated for the vetting that will take place at County Hall, Nairobi, as from 10am.

The remaining three; Dr Paul Kibiwot Kurgat, Ms Margaret Wanjala Mwachanya and Prof Abdi Guliye will face the MPs, on Wednesday.

Besides original academic certificates, the committee will seek to establish if the nominees conform to Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity.

They will be required to provide clearance from the anti-graft commission, Kenya Revenue Authority, Higher Education Loans Board among other agencies.

REGIONAL REPRESENTATION

Kenyans had been asked to present their views on the suitability of the nominees by close of business, Monday.

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has appointed January 17 for a special sitting to consider the nominees.

The MPs will also consider a report on the nomination of Eliud Wabukala as EACC chairman.

Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr said concerns about Mr Chebukati and Mr Chiloba cannot be over-looked, irrespective of merit, as they touch on regional representation.

He said the selection panel owes Kenyans a convincing explanation on if indeed they did due diligence besides, just relying on information from agencies like the EACC and CID to clear the candidates.

“The selection panel he said, must also be compelled to disclose or confirm the marks awarded to candidates and whether they considered the Chiloba-Chebukati conflict,” Mr Kilonzo Jnr said.

Jubilee led by Deputy President William Ruto and Mr Duale has defended the IEBC selection panel’s move to shortlist Mr Chebukati, knowing well, he was from the same region with the CEO.

They said Kenyans should not be obsessed with tribe but the focus should be on the qualifications of those seeking public office.

Mr Duale said the constitution is clear that any job seeker should not be subjected to discrimination on the basis of his tribe, so long as the recruitment process is free and fair.