Uhuru nominates Chebukati as IEBC Chair

President Uhuru Kenyatta has nominated Wafula Chebukati as Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chair, just a week after the Bernadette Musundi-led selection panel nominated him and Tunai ole Kina for the post.

The Head of state also nominated six others – Consolata Nkatha Bucha, Boya Molu, Dr Roselyn K. Akombe, Ambassador Paul Kurgat, Margaret Wanjala Mwachanya and Professor Abdi Guliye – to sit on the poll body’s governing body as commissioners.

In a statement released to newsrooms late Thursday evening, Statehouse Spokesperson Manoah Esipisu said President Kenyatta has forwarded the names to Parliament for processing.

Chebukati and the six commissioners will be vetted by Parliament, and – pending the outcome of the process – they will be tasked with the role of overseeing the August 2017 elections.

Overhauling IEBC

Earlier in the year, the Opposition took to the streets to demand for the removal of the team that administrated the 2013 polls, saying they could not be trusted to referee the next General Election.

Following protracted negotiations, politicians allied to both Government and Opposition agreed on an overhaul of the poll body, tasking the Musundi-led selection panel with the selection of new commissioners.

Others candidates who faced the IEBC Selection panel include former Mombasa Mayor, Taib Ali Taib, former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) representative to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Florence Muoti Mwangangi, lawyer Lucas Leperes Naikuni of Naikuni Ngaah & Miencha Co. Advocates and fellow nominee Tunai ole Kina.  Others included Roseline Odhiambo Odede, Kipropo David Malakwen, Margaret Wambui Ngugi Shava, David Mukii Mereka and Dr John Kangu Mutakha