Eight candidates to vie for chair of electoral body

Written By:Mary Daraja,    Posted: Wed, Sep 28, 2011

The selection panel is currently interviewing candidates for the positions of IEBC members. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission selection panel has shortlisted eight candidates for the position of the chairperson of the new electoral body. They include IIEC chairman Ahmed Isaack Hassan and Koki Muli, formerly of the Center for Multi-party Democracy. Other candidates include Consolata Ngondi, Onsando Osiemo,  Murshid Abdala Mohammed, George Njenga, Kinuthia Mwangi and Ann Kariuki. Fifteen individuals had applied for the position. The selection panel is currently interviewing candidates for the positions of IEBC members. Elsewhere, the Association of Professional Societies in East Africa (APSEA)has developed a Vetting Framework for the Vetting of Public Officials which it intends on having it passed as a Bill. APSEA observes that there is no proper mechanism to vet persons recommended for appointment to public offices as required by Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya. It argues that the current vetting process is haphazard with no established system for vetting public officers. The association says the only attempts in developing vetting guidelines such as the Public Appointment Bill, 2011 have been met by political opposition. Day three Meanwhile, the search for members of the all important  Commission entered day three Wednesday with the Interim Independent Electoral Commission Commissioner Ken Nyaundi and businesswoman Fatuma Mohammed appearing before the Ekuru Aukot led selection panel. Nyaundi was put to task over corruption allegations against him following complaints filed by Kenyans. His role in the selection of IIEC regional coordinators was questioned as well as his association with politicians. He was also put to task over his involvement in the Bomachoge by-election where his brother was a contestant. On Tuesday, candidate Isaack Mutoka Shivachi was disqualified after it emerged that he had defaulted payment of the Higher Education Loans Board loan for 19 years. The interviews that began on Monday are seeking to fill positions in the 9-member Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.