The Selection Panel responsible for shortlisting candidates for the roles of chairperson and members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has officially released the names of applicants.
In a public notice dated March 6, the Panel revealed that 37 individuals had applied for the chairperson position, while 1,319 candidates submitted applications for membership roles within the Commission.
Additionally, 91 applicants submitted their documents but failed to specify which position they were applying for, as required in the advertisement.
Among those seeking the chairperson role is former Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Anne Amadi who held the position from January 13, 2014, to January 12, 2024.
Another key contender is James Oswago, who previously served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the IEBC from 2009 to 2013.
His tenure ended amid corruption allegations related to the procurement of electronic voter identification devices for the 2013 general elections.
In October 2024, the High Court upheld his conviction, sentencing him to four years in prison for his role in awarding a Ksh1.3 billion tender irregularly.
Also vying for the position is Joy Brenda Masinde-Mdivo, who currently chairs the Board of Directors at Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC).
She is the daughter of Bishop J.B. Masinde, the founder and Senior Pastor of Deliverance Church International – Umoja in Nairobi.
Another notable applicant is Justice Charles Ayieko Nyachae, a judge at the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) and the son of the late Simeon Nyachae, the former Cabinet Minister and leader of the FORD People Party.
Human rights lawyer and activist Francis Kakai Kissinger has also submitted his application for the chairperson role, along with Duncan Oburu Ojwang.
Several other individuals have applied for the chairperson position, including Abdulqadir Lorot Ramadhan, Calistus Wekesa Waswa, Cedrick Ogoro Mukhwana, Choge Rollince, Chrisphine Otieno Owiye, Edward Katama Ngeywa, Erastus Edung Ethekon and Fred Khaemba Masungu.
Others are Isaac Mutie Mutua, Jackson Angortum, Jacob Ngwele Muvengei, Josiah Onyancha, Justry Patrick Lumumba Nyaberi, Kadhua Jimmy Kahindi, Kenneth Kiplimo Kemboi, Kibet Victor, Lilian Wanjiku Manegene, Nelly Peris Ashubwe, Patrick Omutia Otuliia, and Peterkin Nyongesa.
Samson Ouma Ogada, Samuel Kariuki Kiragu, Samuel Osewe Ochillo, Saul Simiyu Wasilwa, Thomas Maosa Nyakambi, Vincent Omondi Oluoch, Walubengo Waningilo, William Otieno Oketch, Wilson Wambungu Maina, Wyclife Kiprotich Kiprono Bonnke and Yvonne Mercy Olaka have also applied for the job.
The Selection Panel is expected to proceed with the next phase of the recruitment process, which will include vetting and interviews before final appointments are made.
