On Monday, Anne Amadi, a candidate for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson position, addressed allegations linking her to a gold scandal during her vetting by the IEBC selection panel.
The former Chief Registrar of the Judiciary firmly denied any involvement in the case, which revolves around accusations by Bruton Gold Trading LLC that her former law firm, Amadi and Associates Advocates, illegally obtained over Ksh.89 million for undelivered gold.
Amadi clarified that she resigned from the law firm in 2014 upon her appointment as Chief Registrar and has had no connection to its activities since. “I was very busy in the Judiciary; there was no time to go and get into any kind of practice,” she told the panel. She further noted that Kenyan courts had ruled on the matter, finding her innocent of any wrongdoing.
Amadi described the allegations as a malicious attempt to tarnish her reputation and integrity, stating: “Public service at any level is not for the faint-hearted. It was an attempt to shake me and slay my reputation because I have upheld my integrity.” She emphasized that she has no skills or experience in gold trading.
Amadi’s legal career spans 34 years, 20 of which have been dedicated to public service. She served as Chief Registrar of the Judiciary from 2014 until her retirement in 2024, overseeing administrative reforms and managing critical transitions within Kenya’s legal system.
Her tenure included the swearing-in of two Presidents, Uhuru Kenyatta in 2017 and William Ruto in 2022—a historic achievement for a Chief Registrar.
During her vetting, Amadi highlighted her readiness to handle the pressure associated with leading Kenya’s electoral body, citing her experience managing high-stakes roles within the Judiciary. “I bring a diverse skill set to the IEBC chair position. The role requires leadership, sound judgment, and extensive interactions with various stakeholders,” she said.
Amadi also outlined her vision for fostering unity within IEBC, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among commissioners and staff to advance the commission’s mission. “The chairperson must play a key role in setting the agenda and rallying members around a shared vision,” she added.
Amadi is among 11 candidates shortlisted for the IEBC chairperson position following the vacancy left by Wafula Chebukati’s passing earlier this year. The interviews are being conducted by a selection panel chaired by Dr. Nelson Makanda at the College of Insurance in South C, Nairobi.
The panel aims to ensure transparency and merit-based recruitment for this critical role as Kenya prepares for future elections, including reforms to restore public trust in electoral processes. Once interviews conclude on March 26, 2025, recommendations will be forwarded to the appointing authority for final consideration.
Amadi’s vetting highlights both her resilience in addressing personal allegations and her commitment to advancing Kenya’s electoral integrity if appointed as IEBC chairperson
