The National Assembly has initiated the process of vetting nominees for the chairperson and commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
This follows President William Ruto’s formal submission to the House of the names of the nominees for approval hearings ahead of their appointment to the electoral body.
President Ruto nominated Erastus Edung Ethekon as the next IEBC chairperson, and Anne Nderitu, Moses Mukwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor, Francis Odhiambo, and Fahima Abdalla as commissioners.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has subsequently referred the names to the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs to conduct the vetting process.
In a public notice published in the local dailies on May 12, 2025, National Assembly Clerk Samwel Njoroge announced that the committee will hold the approval hearings on May 26, 2025.
“It is notified to the general public that, pursuant to Article 118(1)(b) of the Constitution and Section 6(4) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act (Cap. 7F), the vetting process of the nominees will be conducted on Monday, May 26, 2025, in the Mini Chamber, First Floor, County Hall, Parliament Buildings, at 9:00 a.m.,” reads part of the notice.
According to the schedule, Ethekon, the nominee for IEBC chairperson, will be the first to face the George Murugara-led panel at 9:00 a.m., followed by Nderitu at 10:30 a.m., Mukwana at 11:30 a.m., Sorobit at 12:30 p.m., and Noor at 2:30 p.m.
Odhiambo will appear at 3:30 p.m., and the vetting will conclude with Fahima at 4:30 p.m.
The
National Assembly has invited Kenyans to submit their views on the suitability
of the nominees by submitting sworn statements with supporting evidence
contesting their suitability.
Submissions must be made to the Clerk of the National Assembly by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
During the vetting process, nominees are required to present clearance certificates from the EACC, KRA, HELB, DCI, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, and the Credit Reference Bureau.
