Replacement process of IEBC chairperson Chebukati, 2 commissioners begins

President William Ruto has gazetted vacancies for the positions of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson and two members from January 17, next year.

In a Gazette notice, the Head of State said the tenure of the IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati, and commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye is set to lapse in three months.

“Therefore, in the exercise of the powers conferred by Section 7A (2) of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act as read with Paragraph 1(1) of the First Schedule of IEBC Act, I notify of impending vacancies in the position of chairperson and two members of the IEBC on January 17, 2023,” he said.

The President is required to appoint a seven-member selection panel six months before the lapse of the tenure, tasked with interviewing potential candidates and forward names to the Head of State for the appointment.

According to the IEBC Act, the office of the chairperson or member of the Commission shall become vacant if the holder: dies, resigns from office by notice in writing addressed to the President, or is removed from office.

Chebukati, Molu and Guliye who were appointed on January 18, 2017, are all expected to proceed on their terminal leave anytime pending their retirement in January.

This means that the IEBC will remain with four commissioners namely Juliana Cherera, Justus Nyangaya, Francis Wanderi and Irene Masit come January 18, 2023.

However, the survival of the four lies with the National Assembly after the Senate approved the motion filed by Nyandarua senator John Methu seeking to kick out the four commission following incidents that happened during the August general election.

In September 2021, former president Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Juliana Cherera (vice-chair), Irene Masit, Justus Nyang’aya, and Francis Wanderi as commissioners of IEBC, following the resignation of commissioners Roselyn Akombe, Margaret Mwachanya, Paul Kurgat and Connie Maina.