The deadline for applications for Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission members and chair (IEBC) positions in Kenya is March 28, 2023.

PHOTO | COURTESY IEBC selection panel says the applications are due March 28th

It came when the Selection Panel in charge of the new team's recruitment at the electoral authority advertised the positions.

The panel stated in a notice that it "invite[s] applications from eligible individuals who adhere to the IEBC Act's and the Constitution's requirements.

After the retirement of the Commission's outgoing Chairman, Wafula Chebukati and Commissioners Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu, whose six-year terms in charge of the electoral body expired in January 2023, there are now open positions.

Juliana Cherera, a former vice-chairperson, and the commissioners Justus Nyang'aya and Francis Wanderi resigned after President William Ruto established a tribunal to look into their behaviour during the elections in August 2022.

They criticized the election count as unfair and disputed the results that gave Ruto the presidency.

Since Irene Masit decided not to retire, the tribunal presided over by Justice Aggrey Muchelule made a recommendation to President Ruto to dismiss her.

Chairman- 

The panel is looking to fill one open Chairperson post at the organization.

The Constitution stipulates that candidates for the position of Commission Chairperson from Kenya must be eligible to serve as Supreme Court judges.

PHOTO | COURTESY  IEBC selection panel says the applications are due March 28th

The panel advised that, among other conditions, interested candidates must have at least fifteen years of experience as a superior court judge, at least fifteen years of experience as a renowned scholar, judicial officer, or lawyer, or similar experience in other pertinent legal domains.

Those interested also need to fulfil Chapter Six of the Constitution's criteria.

A person will not be eligible for appointment following the Constitution if it is discovered that they have held office, run for office, or served in any state office at any point in the five years prior. They may also be disqualified if they have served as a director on the board of a political party or have held certain state offices.

Members

Members of the Commission are needed to fill five open positions.

The panel informed those interested in joining that they needed to meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution, have a degree from an accredited university, and have relevant experience in management, finance, governance, public administration, or the law.

The threshold for disqualification shall be the same as for applying to be the Commission Chairperson.

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), the Credit Reference Bureau, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission all ask applicants to attach current and valid clearances to their applications (EACC).

The names of the selected candidates will be shortlisted by the panel, directed by Nelson Makanda, which has seven members, and their interviews will then be scheduled.