Former Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Anne Amadi has emerged as the most preferred candidate for the position of Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), according to the latest poll by TIFA Research. The poll, released on Wednesday, shows that 41 per cent of Kenyans favour Amadi for the top electoral body role.
Amadi leads the pack significantly, ahead of Charles Nyachae, a former judge of the East African Court of Justice, who garnered 23 per cent of the respondents’ support. Erastus Ethekon, another contender, polled at 15 per cent, while Abdulqadir Ramadhan followed closely at 12 per cent.
The TIFA poll was conducted between May 2 and May 6, 2025, through telephone interviews with 2,024 respondents. The interviews were carried out in both English and Kiswahili, with contact details sourced from earlier face-to-face, household-based surveys. The poll carries a margin of error of +/- 2.17 per cent, offering a reasonably accurate snapshot of public opinion across Kenya.
The survey spanned nine key regions: Central Rift, Coast, Lower Eastern, Mt Kenya, Nairobi, Northern, Nyanza, South Rift, and Western. It aimed to gauge the public’s perception of candidates vying for the IEBC chairpersonship, a role critical to overseeing Kenya’s electoral integrity and democratic processes.
Amadi’s strong showing may be attributed to her extensive experience in judicial administration and her high-profile tenure as Chief Registrar of the Judiciary. Her reputation for professionalism and reform-minded leadership appears to have resonated with many Kenyans, especially at a time when trust in electoral institutions remains a pressing concern.
Charles Nyachae, while trailing Amadi, remains a respected figure in legal and political circles, with a record of service in the East African Court and involvement in constitutional reform.
As the selection process for the IEBC chairperson intensifies, the poll results are likely to influence public discourse and political engagement, underscoring the importance of a transparent and merit-based appointment process. The new chairperson will be tasked with restoring public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
