President William Ruto has called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel to fast-track the process of appointing new commissioners to ensure the electoral agency is ready for the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Tuesday, the President emphasized the urgency of reconstituting the commission, stating that the process should not be delayed any further.
“The committee tasked with reconstituting new IEBC commissioners should speed up the process so that we have a new IEBC for Malava residents to elect their leader as I help them,” Ruto said.
The selection panel, which was officially appointed on January 27, 2025, consists of nine members drawn from various institutions. It is responsible for appointing new commissioners and a chairperson for the electoral body.
The panel is led by Dr. Nelson Makanda as the chairperson, with Lindah Kiome as the vice chairperson.
On February 1, the panel invited Kenyans to submit applications for the positions, with the deadline set for February 15.
According to the panel’s schedule, the final list of successful candidates will be forwarded to President Ruto on April 25 for appointment, before the names are sent to Parliament for vetting.
“If we give the names by the 25th, we should be having a commission by May in accordance with the law,” said Vice Chairperson Lindah Kiome.
The panel has a strict 90-day timeline, meaning the IEBC should be fully constituted by April 27, 2025.
The reconstitution of the IEBC has faced delays due to legal battles and political disagreements over the panel’s composition. However, Chief Justice Martha Koome, while presiding over the swearing-in of the selection panel, urged them to prioritize integrity in their appointments.
“The future of Kenya’s democracy depends on the integrity of the men and women you select to lead the IEBC. The commissioners you appoint must be individuals of untainted credibility—committed to independence, impartiality, and the principles enshrined in our Constitution,” CJ Koome stated.
