Qualifications For Appointment Of IEBC Commissioners

This article outlines the qualifications for appointing commissioners to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of Kenya. The IEBC oversees elections and referendums for elective offices established by the Kenyan constitution. Qualifications For Appointment Of IEBC Commissioners

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The commission is made up of a chairperson and six commissioners, appointed per Article 250(4) of the Constitution of Kenya and Section 5&6 of the IEBC Act 2011, as amended by the IEBC (Amendment) Act 2020. Commissioners serve a six-year single term, with no option for reappointment, on a full-time basis.

Qualifications for Appointment of IEBC Commissioners

(i) IEBC Chairperson

Must qualify to hold the office of Judge of the Supreme Court.
Hold a Bachelor of Law degree from a recognized institution in Kenya.
Have proven experience in electoral matters, management, finance, governance, public administration, and law.
Meet the requirements outlined in Chapter 6 of the Constitution (integrity and ethical standards).

(ii) Other Commissioners

Hold a degree from a recognized institution in Kenya.
Have relevant experience in electoral matters, management, finance, governance, public administration, or law.
Meet the ethical requirements in Chapter 6 of the Constitution.

Disqualifications for Appointment

A person is ineligible for appointment as an IEBC member if:

They held office or ran for election as a member of Parliament, County Assembly, or governing body of a political party within the past 5 years.
They hold any state office.

Appointment Process for IEBC Commissioners

Selection Panel Formation: The president forms a selection panel comprising:
- Two nominees (one man and one woman) from the Parliamentary Service Commission.
- One nominee from the Public Service Commission.
- One nominee from the Political Parties Liaison Committee.
- One nominee from the Law Society of Kenya.
- Two representatives from the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya.
Application and Interview: The panel invites applications, shortlists, and conducts public interviews.
Forwarding of Names: Successful candidates’ names are forwarded to the president, who then sends them to Parliament for vetting.