The selection panel responsible for recruiting nominees for the positions of chairperson and members of the IEBC is hopeful a fully constituted Commission will be ready by May this year.
According to the panel, the application process for interested candidates is currently ongoing and set to concluded this weekend.
"The application process is ongoing and as placed in the advert it shall expire at 5 pm on Saturday, February 15, 2025," panel's chairperson Nelson Makanda told the press Tuesday.
The panel stated that following this, necessary steps will be undertaken with the final list of successful individuals expected to be forwarded to the president on April 25 for appointment.
"Thereafter the next steps will follow because as appertains to the law, the names will be forwarded to parliament for vetting and later take over the office," said Lindah Kiome, the panel's vice chairperson.
"If we give the names by the 25th, we should be having a commission by May in accordance with the law."
Kiome at the same time clarified that since the panel is new, the process begins afresh.
She said those who had tendered their applications to the defunct panel ought to reapply again.
Makanda at the same time said they are currently various stakeholders ahead of its task.
He assured Kenyans that as a panel they will faithfully discharge their mandate so that they can give the country an honorable commission that will foster democracy.
The panel invited Kenyans to submit their applications for the positions in an advertisement dated February 1.
According to the law, the panel has 90 days from the date of its swearing-in to complete the recruitment process and submit the names of qualified individuals to the President.
To qualify for the IEBC Chairperson position, a candidate must have at least 15 years of experience as a Superior Court Judge or have at least 15 years of experience as a distinguished academic, judicial officer, legal practitioner, or in other legally relevant fields.
One must meet the leadership and integrity requirements outlined in Chapter Six of the Constitution.
However, an individual is ineligible for the position if, within the preceding five years, they held office or stood for election as a Member of Parliament (MP) or Member of County Assembly (MCA).
Those who have served as a member of the governing body of a political party or held any state office in the last five years are ineligible.
To qualify as an IEBC Commissioner, a candidate must hold a degree from a recognized university.
One must also have proven knowledge and at least 10 years of experience in electoral matters, management, finance, governance, public administration, law, ICT, or accounting.
Applicants must meet the integrity requirements under Chapter Six of the Constitution.
All applications must be submitted with certified academic certificates, a curriculum vitae (CV), a national ID or passport, and other relevant testimonials.
Applicants must have clearance certificates from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), Credit Reference Bureau (CRB), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC)
Eligible candidates can submit their applications through Physical application to the Selection Panel Chairperson’s office, located on the 3rd Floor of the County House Building, Parliament Road.
They can also do so online and send a PDF attachment via email to [email protected].
After receiving applications, the Selection Panel will review and shortlist qualified candidates for interviews.
The names of all applicants and the interview schedule for shortlisted candidates will be published in, print media, the Kenya Gazette and the Parliamentary Service Commission website.
