I'll resign instantly as Magistrate if confirmed as IEBC Chair – Abdulqadir Lorot

Abdulqadir Lorot told the IEBC selection panel that there is precedent for serving state officers resigning from their positions once confirmed for a new public office.

“There is a precedent that has been set before. I am ready and willing to resign immediately if confirmed as the IEBC chair,” Lorot stated adding that there is nothing new about state officers being interviewed for public offices.

He emphasized that he applied for the position with full awareness that he would be required to step down as a magistrate if appointed as the next IEBC chairperson.

The law prohibits the IEBC chairperson from holding any other office as a state officer before assuming the role.

“It has happened before, where state officers have been appointed as Cabinet Secretaries, such as the case of the former Ugunja MP,” Lorot added.

Lorot is currently the Chief Magistrate at the Naivasha Law Courts and has served in the judiciary for 23 years, including as a judicial trainer.

However, when asked about the number of constituencies in Kiambu County, Lorot was only able to recall eight out of the 12.

He named Githunguri, Kiambaa, Lari, Kikuyu, Thika Town, Ruiru, Gatundu North, and Gatundu South but failed to mention Kabete, Limuru, Kiambu, and Juja constituencies.

The question, aimed at testing his understanding of the country's electoral map, was posed by panel member Professor Adams Oloo.

The Dr. Nelson Makanda-led panel is currently interviewing 11 candidates shortlisted for the IEBC chairperson position.

The successful candidate will succeed the late Wafula Chebukati, who passed away last month after completing his six-year term in 2023.

The interviews are ongoing at the College of Insurance in South C, Nairobi.