The tenure of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel has been extended by a further 14 days.
This follows after leader of Minority in the National Assembly Junet Mohamed sought to extend the timelines of the panel by 14 days given the number set to be interviewed.
The panel, chaired by Nelson Makanda has so far conducted interviews for the shortlisted applicants for the IEBC Chairperson with interviews for the commissioners currently ongoing.
Among those interviewed include; Abdulqadir Lorot Ramadhan, former Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Anne Atieno Amadi, former East African Court of Justice Judge Charles Ayako Nyachae, Edward Katama Ngeywa.
Others are Erastus Edung Ethekon, Francis Kakai Kissinger, Jacob Ngwele Muvengei and Joy Brenda Masinde-Mdivo, Lillian Wanjiku Manegene (Kirinyaga), Robert Akumu Asembo (Busia), and Saul Simiyu Wasilwa (Bungoma).
Today, the member of the technical team of the National Dialogue Committee and US trained lawyer Duncan Oburu Ojwanga, former Nuclear Power and Energy Agency Chief Executive officer Collins Juma and Edmond Malitt, an ICT professional were among six candidates that faced the panel in the search for the IEBC commissioners.
The candidates were required to explain measures they’d put in place to ensure credible and transparent elections, as well as ensuring that Kenyans have confidence in the electoral body.
Collins Juma was the first said his first task if considered for the commissioner role would be to propose the upgrading of the technology used in the transmission of results to enhance credibility of the 2027 general elections.
On his side, Denis Omondi, a governance expert, said he would concentrate on a campaign to rebuild and improve the image of the IEBC through engaging political parties and the electorate on the need to vote.
The selection panel also put to task the member of the technical team of the National Dialogue committee Duncan Ojwang, over its recommendation on the role of political players in the recruitment of the IEBC.
Edmund Malitt, an ICT professional, said his first task if considered for the role will be to propose auditing of the Kiems kit to ascertain its usability in the 2027 poll.
