President Ruto Names New IEBC Selection Panel as 2027 Poll Preparations Gain Momentum

President William Ruto

President William Ruto has officially named a nine-member selection panel to spearhead the recruitment of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson and commissioners.

The appointments were announced in a gazette notice issued on Monday, January 27, just days after the High Court in Kiambu lifted an injunction that had blocked the panel's formation.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 7A of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, as read with paragraph 1 (2) of the First Schedule to the Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint [the panel members] to be members of the Selection Panel for the Recruitment of nominees for appointment as the Chairperson and Members of the IEBC,” the notice read.

The newly appointed panel includes Kiome Lindah Gakii, Prof. Oloo Adams, James Evans Misati, Nicodemus Kipchirchir Bore, Amb. Koki Muli Grignon, Carolene Kituku, Tanui Andrew Kipkoech, Nelson Makanda, and Fatuma Saman. 

The members were drawn from five key organizations, including the Political Parties Liaison Committee, the Inter-Religious Council, and the Law Society of Kenya, among others.

President William Ruto

At the same time, President Ruto revoked the appointments of an earlier selection panel outlined in a 2023 gazette notice. 

Justice Dola Chepkwony, in a High Court ruling on January 24, dismissed claims that the formation of the panel was not representative. 

The court ruled that there was no sufficient evidence to prove discrimination against Persons Living with Disabilities or any violation of the requirements for gender and regional balance.

This latest development will see the recruitment of new commissioners take off at IEBC with a glimpse of hope that a new commission shall be put up prior to the 2027 General Election. 

Most politicians and Kenyans had expressed anger due to slow operations, saying finger-pointing legal battles had slowed them down.

The appointment of this panel leaves all eyes on how efficient, transparent, and fast the process of recruiting new commissioners shall be.