Wetang’ula directs JLAC to clear IEBC nominees as ELOG demands full report

Debacle over the recruitment and nomination of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners and chairperson is far from over as the opposition alleged bias at a time the

Elections Observation Group (ELOG) demanded full report by the IEBC Selection Panel submittd to the president be made public.

Already, the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has directed Justice and Legal Affairs Committee to immediately commence approval hearings for nominees to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

In a notification issued yesterday, May 10, 2025, the Speaker emphasised the urgency of reconstituting the electoral commission and instructed the Committee to table its report on the matter without delay upon the House’s resumption from recess on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

“Noting the urgency to have the IEBC reconstituted, the Committee is expected to immediately commence the approval process and, thereafter, table its report immediately upon resumption of the House on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, to also enable the House to consider the nominees within the statutory timelines,” Wetangula stated.

 ELOG wants the report by the IEBC Selection Panel recruitment report submitted to President William Ruto following the conclusion of interviews for the Chairperson and members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) made public.

Opposition leaders led by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka have rejected the nominees citing partialityin its composition.

In a statement released hours after President Ruto named nominees to the commission on Thursday, ELOG expressed concern over the failure to publish the final recruitment report, saying it undermines the very principles of openness and accountability the process had sought to uphold.

Yesterday’s communique by Wetangula’s follows the receipt of a message from President Ruto on Friday, proposing the appointment of Erastus Ethekon Edung as Chairperson of the IEBC, alongside six nominees for Member positions.

President Ruto made the nominations in accordance with Article 250(2)(c) of the Constitution and Section 5 of the IEBC Act, following recommendations by the Selection Panel for the Recruitment of IEBC Commissioners.

The Speaker’s directive aligns with a February 13 resolution of the House, which allows committees to consider appointments during recesses without necessitating a full recall of the House.

Pursuant to the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, the Committee is required to review the nominees and submit a report to Parliament within 28 days.

The Speaker also tasked the Clerk of the National Assembly with notifying all Members and facilitating the Committee’s approval hearings.

The other proposed commissioners are: Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdalla.

President Ruto received the final report on the recruitment of the next Chairperson and Members of the electoral commission on May 6.

In a statement from State House, Nairobi, President Ruto praised the panel, chaired by Dr Nelson Makanda, for its “diligent and commendable work.”