JLAC clears Erastus Ethekon nomination as IEBC chairman
The report comes after the committee vetted the seven, following an order by the court that allowed the process to proceed after it had been temporarily halted
The National Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) has approved all seven nominees for the chairperson and commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
In a report tabled by Committee Chairperson George Murugara, all seven nominees who appeared before the committee for vetting over the past weekend were approved.
“Following the findings of JLAC, I put forward the notice of motion that the National Assembly approve the nomination of Erastus Edung Ethekon, nominated as IEBC chairperson, Anne Nderitu, Moses Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor, Francis Odhiambo, and Fahima Abdalla as Commissioners,” Murugara stated in his notice of motion laid in parliament.
The report comes after the committee vetted the seven, following an order by the court that allowed the process to proceed after it had been temporarily halted.
Last Thursday, Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula directed JLAC to proceed with the vetting and present the report.
He also said he would initiate talks with the Judiciary to discourage future orders that disrupt parliamentary processes.
The High Court had earlier issued conservatory orders suspending the gazettement and swearing-in of the nominees, but later allowed the vetting to proceed.
The court referred the matter to Chief Justice Martha Koome to form a bench that will consider the legal questions raised. Justice Lawrence Mugambi said the issues in the petition touch on the sovereignty of the people and should not be dismissed lightly.
The petition had initially prompted the court to halt the process, but Parliament challenged the decision. Through Deputy Clerk Jeremiah Ndombi, it argued that the court’s intervention was untimely, would disrupt a constitutionally mandated process, and would deny the public a chance to participate.
The parliamentary team further said that the interim orders were not supported by a strong enough case to justify halting the vetting.
President Ruto nominated Ethekon from Turkana County to take over from former chair Wafula Chebukati, who died in February.
The six other nominees come from across the country, including Ann Nderitu from Nyandarua, Moses Mukhwana from Kakamega, Mary Sorobit from Uasin Gishu, Hassan Noor from Mandera, Francis Odhiambo from Kisumu, and Fahima Abdalla from Lamu.
