The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) has called for an amendment to the provision on qualifications for appointment of the chairperson to IEBC.
In its presentation to the National Dialogue Committee, ICPAK said the current provisions ring-fence the position of chairman to legal professionals, leaving out other competent Kenyans.
"The institute is of the considered opinion that the role of chairman is management and leadership role and not a judicial role," said ICPAK team leader Georgina Malombe.
ICPAK said the composition of the commission should have at least one member with qualifications and expertise in audit, financial management, or accounting with knowledge in risk management.
"Elections boil down to numbers; hence it will be best placed to have a person who understands numbers. A member regulated by ICPAK at the commissioner level is hence critical in ensuring internal control systems, audit systems, and risk management frameworks are included," Malombe stated.
She said the commission coopts other members with relevant expertise such as IT as and when the need arises.
Malombe reiterated that qualification requirements for the chairperson position should be reviewed to allow for other professionals.
"The requirement that one must be qualified to hold the office of judge of the Supreme Court is discriminatory and essentially precludes other Kenyan professionals who may have the competence to discharge the functions of chairman," she said.
ICPAK suggested that a person should qualify for appointment as chairperson if he/she holds a degree from a recognised university in public administration, public finance, governance, electoral management, social science, or law.
It said the person should have proven experience of not less than 15 years.
ICPAK further pointed out that there is a lack of succession planning at the commission since the terms of all members lapse at the same time.
"The commissioners' appointments and terms should be staggered to ensure a phased transition and limited to not more than two terms of three years," Malombe explained.
She added that recruitment should be initiated at least three months before the end of the tenure, for a seamless transition.
She said the move would protect institutional memory and will avoid a situation where the President appoints all commissioners in one go.
