President William Ruto has appointed a selection panel for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) through a Special Gazette Notice issued Monday, ending a prolonged three-year delay marked by legal battles and political tensions.
President William Ruto has reconstituted The IEBC selection panel. pic.twitter.com/UsdJOjQUQB
— H.E President William Ruto (Commentary) (@WilliamsMkenya) January 27, 2025
The panel consists of nine members: Kiome Lindah Gakii, Adams Oloo, James Evans Misati, Nicodemus Kipchirchir Bore, Ambassador Koki Muli Grignon, Carolene Kituku, Tanui Andrew Kipkoech, Nelson Makanda, and Fatuma Saman. The gazette notice stated:
“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.”
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Roles of The Appointed Panel
The panel members are scheduled for swearing-in at the Supreme Court Building in Nairobi on Monday at 9:00 AM. Their immediate tasks include organizing pending by-elections and developing strategies for the 2027 general elections. Currently, 11 National Assembly by-elections are pending, along with seven MCA by-elections due to various circumstances, including the appointment of former MPs Opiyo Wandayi and John Mbadi to the Cabinet.
The panel will be responsible for recruiting seven commissioners to oversee Kenya’s electoral processes, replacing a previous gazette notice from 2023 that President Ruto has now revoked.
