President William Ruto has finally appointed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission(IEBC) selection panel to oversee the process of selecting IEBC Commissioners.

The appointment was made via a Special Gazette Notice published on Monday after nearly a 3-year delay that caused political upheaval. The appointment process was delayed by numerous court cases and political disputes.

In a gazette notice, President Ruto appointed Kiome Lindah Gakii, Communication professional Oloo Adams, James Evans Misati, Nicodemus Kipchirchir Bore, Ambassador Koki Muli Grignon Carolene Kituku Tanui Andrew Kipkoech, Nelson Makanda and Fatuma Saman to be members of the panel.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 7A of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, as read with paragraph 1 (2) of the First Schedule to the Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint (the 9-member team) to be Members of the Selection Panel for the Recruitment of nominees for appointment as the Chairperson and Members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission," read the notice in part.

President William Ruto during his maiden speech at the Bomas of Kenya after the former IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati announced him as President-elect on August 15, 2022.

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William Ruto

The Head of State further revoked an earlier notice of selection panel appointments that had been Gazetted in 2023.

The nine appointees are set to be sworn into office at the Supreme Court Building in Nairobi on Monday at 9:00 am.

The appointment of the nine panellists comes just two days after the High Court in Kiambu dismissed a petition challenging the constitution of the IEBC Commissioners Selection Panel.

The court ruled that the petitioner, Bonface Njogu, failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove that persons with disabilities were excluded from the panel's empanelment.

In her ruling, Justice Dola Chepkwony further dismissed a petition challenging Azimio’s nomination process, saying the claim that the coalition failed to conduct a competitive and open recruitment exercise could not be substantiated.

There has been push and pull between the government and the opposition on the constitution of the selection panel, with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka blaming the government for deliberately delaying the process to interfere with the outcomes of the 2027 elections.

The appointment of Adams Oloo to the IEBC Selection Panel is expected to ignite debate. On Sunday, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna disclosed plans to challenge Oloo's inclusion alleging that he currently serves as a communication adviser in President Ruto's government.

The appointment of the IEBC Selection Panel marks a significant step toward recruiting seven commissioners who will oversee the facilitation of elections across the country.

As mandated by law, the commission must comprise commissioners and a secretariat led by the secretary to effectively carry out its functions.

Upon swearing in, the panel will embark on the constitution of the IEBC Commission, which is expected to immediately organize for the pending byelections and set in place the 2027 general elections strategy.

Currently, there are 11 electoral areas in need of by-elections for the National Assembly; with seven pending by-elections arising from the deaths of areas Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) while others resulted from President William Ruto elevating former Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi and former Nominated MP John Mbadi to his Cabinet.

A photo collage of Cabinet Secretaries John Mbadi (left), Opiyo Wandayi (centre) and Wycliffe Oparanya

Kenyans.co.ke