The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is poised to kick-start the recruitment of new commissioners, as the selection process is set to be gazetted by Tuesday next week, according to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.
Speaking during a press conference at the Parliament Buildings on Monday, Wetang’ula stated that all bodies mandated to second names to the selection panel are expected to do so by Friday this week.
“By the close of the week, we shall have all names, and send them to the President for gazettement by Tuesday,” he said.
The bodies expected to submit names to the panel include the Parliamentary Service Commission, Law Society of Kenya, Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya, Political Parties Liaison Committee, and Inter-Religious Council.
The newly amended IEBC (Amendment) Act, 2023, outlines the specific number of candidates each institution will nominate.
Wetang’ula further revealed that the panel should be in place within 14 days after the President signed the IEBC (Amendment) Bill, 2023 into law.
Once the panel is gazetted, it will invite Kenyans to apply for the positions of IEBC chairperson and commissioner, and then proceed to shortlist candidates for interviews.
The IEBC has been without a chairperson and commissioners since January last year, and the new recruitment process aims to fill these crucial roles.