The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Friday, March 11, 2022, appointed Michael Ouma as the Director of Information Communication and Technology (ICT).
Ouma assumes the role after it was left vacant following the mysterious murder of Chris Msando in 2017. His appointment was announced by IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati in a statement on Friday, March 11.
In this article, WoK takes a look at the education and career background of Ouma.
Background & Education
According to the IEBC, Ouma holds a Bachelor of Technology Electrical & Communications Engineering degree from Moi University. He also holds an MBA from the University of Nairobi.
Career
Ouma boasts 10 years’ experience in elections technology projects management.
He has worked for IEBC as an ICT specialist prior to his promotion as Director for ICT. The role had remained vacant for four years following the demise of Msando.
Ouma was appointed to the role following successful interviews which were conducted on March 9 and March 10, where he emerged as the best candidate for the job.
He will be mandated with ensuring the ease of the electoral process, including voting and electronic transmission of vote tallies.
Memberships
He is a member of the Computer Society of Kenya, Kenya Institute of Management & Information Systems Audit & Control Association (ISACA).
Training
In June 2015, Ouma was part of 11 ICT specialists led by then director of ICT and IEBC regional ICT officers across Kenya who were trained under a joint partnership between IEBC and the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB). The successful completion of the training marked the beginning in the implementation process of an MOU signed on the 31st March 2015 between the IEBC and A-WEB towards the enhancement of the electoral systems in Kenya.
Ouma and his colleagues were taken through a detailed and customized program designed to address priority key areas jointly identified as challenges in the electoral ICT in Kenya. The training program presented an opportunity for the participants to engage with Electoral ICT experts on specific topics of concern. Detailed discussions were also held throughout the training program to mitigate the electoral technology hiccups witnessed during the 2013 General Elections.
“Through this partnership, A-WEB and the IEBC commit to put in their best efforts in order to achieve the shared goal of equipping the election officials in Kenya for the successful administration of election in the present and future election processes,” A-WEB stated after the training.
