NAIROBI —Kenya’s Parliament has set 26 May as the date to vet the seven nominees for the country’s top electoral body, a process already under scrutiny from both political leaders and civil society.
In a public notice issued Monday, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Samuel Njoroge, confirmed that the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Committee will lead the hearings. The vetting will take place in line with the Constitution and Kenya’s Public Appointments Act.
Kenyans now have until Wednesday next week to submit sworn affidavits and supporting documents if they wish to challenge the suitability of any of the nominees for chairperson or commissioner roles at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The candidates include Erastus Ethekon Edung, nominated as chairperson, alongside Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdalla.
A Divided Response
The announcement has stirred political debate.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua voiced discontent with the final list, claiming the process lacked fairness. In an interview with Egesa FM, he singled out the exclusion of Charles Nyachae a constitutional lawyer and former head of the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution as a missed opportunity.
“Nyachae did better than most in the interviews,” Gachagua claimed, suggesting the President had been presented with his name but opted for someone else. He did not provide evidence but maintained that the selection process was flawed.
In contrast, the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem) has thrown its weight behind the nominees. National Chairman Alhajj Hassan Ole Naado praised the process as inclusive and transparent.
“Even those who are now criticising the outcome had representatives on the selection panel,” Naado said in a statement. He urged leaders to avoid political posturing and instead support the next phase of vetting.
SUPKEM also proposed long-term reforms to strengthen trust in the appointments process. One suggestion involved limiting the President’s role to formally endorsing a single nominee picked by the selection panel a process modelled on the Judicial Service Commission.
Pressure Mounts Over IEBC Vacuum
The vetting process comes at a critical time. Kenya has been without a fully constituted IEBC since early 2023. The prolonged leadership vacuum has delayed electoral reforms and raised concerns about preparedness ahead of the next general election.
Election observers and legal experts warn that rebuilding public trust in the IEBC will depend heavily on how this next group of commissioners is chosen.
“This isn’t just about ticking boxes,” said constitutional lawyer Lempaa Soyinka. “Kenyans want to believe that the next electoral commission is independent, competent, and representative.”
With public submissions now open, attention turns to the citizens and advocacy groups expected to challenge or support the nominees in the coming days. Parliament’s decision will mark a key step in rebuilding an institution often at the centre of Kenya’s most turbulent political moments.
As Soyinka put it: “How we choose our referees says everything about the kind of match we’re planning to play.”
