The Elections Observation Group (ELOG) has raised concerns about the transparency of the recent IEBC recruitment process after it was revealed that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) recruitment report was only submitted to President William Ruto. The report, which followed a thorough vetting and interview process led by the IEBC Selection Panel, was handed over to the president on May 6 at State House in Nairobi, but was not made available to the public.
In a statement released on May 8, ELOG expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of transparency surrounding the critical document. The group emphasized that withholding the report from the public would only fuel suspicions and encourage unnecessary speculation regarding the selection process. They called on the government to make the recruitment report available to the public, asserting that doing so would enhance transparency and accountability in the process.
The recruitment process, which saw a series of interviews for the position of IEBC chairperson, was completed on March 26, with 11 candidates being assessed. The Selection Panel, headed by Dr. Nelson Makanda, was commended by President Ruto for their “commendable and diligent work” in completing the process. On May 8, President Ruto nominated Erastus Edung Ethekon, a former Turkana County Attorney, to succeed the late Wafula Chebukati as the new IEBC Chairperson, pending parliamentary approval.
In addition to the new chairperson, President Ruto also nominated six individuals to serve as IEBC Commissioners. These include Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu from Nyandarua, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana from Kakamega, Mary Karen Sorobit from Uasin Gishu, Hassan Noor Hassan from Mandera, Francis Odhiambo Aduol from Kisumu, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah from Lamu. The appointments are set to help fill the void left by the death of Wafula Chebukati earlier this year.
ELOG’s call for transparency underscores the need for public confidence in the electoral process, especially as the country prepares for future elections.
