The interviews took place at the College of Insurance in
Nairobi, marking a significant step in reconstituting the electoral body.
The selection panel raised numerous questions about the
integrity of Asembo and Wasilwa.
IEBC chairperson nominee Charles Nyachae speaking during an interview before the selection panel at the Edge Convention center, South C on March 24, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAI
On Wednesday, the Selection Panel for the recruitment of
nominees for appointment to the positions of chairperson and members of IEBC completed
interviews of candidates shortlisted for the position of chairperson.
The exercise started on Monday, March 24 came to an end on Wednesday,
March 26, 2025, where 11 individuals were interviewed.
The candidates for the chair position were former Judiciary
Chief Registrar Anne Amadi, Saul Simiyu Wasilwa, Abdulqadir Lorot Ramadhan, Joy
Mdivo, Edward Katama Ngeywa, Erastus Edung Ethekon, Francis Kakai Kissinger,
Jacob Ngwele Muvengei, Lilian Wanjiku Manegene, Robert Akumu Asembo and Charles
Nyachae.
IEBC chairperson nominee Charles Nyachae arrives at the interview before the selection panel at the Edge Convention center, South C on March 24, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAI
The interviews took place at the College of Insurance in Nairobi, marking a significant step in reconstituting the electoral body, which has been without commissioners since January 2023.
The selection panel raised numerous questions about the integrity of Asembo and Wasilwa.
Omuku has pending criminal cases, while Simiyu was exposed for practising without a license from the Law Society of Kenya.
In defence, Akumu said, "There are allegations that need to be convincing and are also controversial. You have to be fair to the accuser and me also as the accused.
IEBC chairperson nominee Anne Amadi after an interview before the IEBC selection panel at the Edge Convention center, South C on March 24, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAI
He also dismissed the cases that are still before the courts, some launched by the Law Society of Kenya, questioning his conduct.
Amadi dismissed allegations linking her to a $742,206 (Sh102 million) gold scam, stating she resigned from the implicated law firm in 2014 and had no involvement in the matter.
“There was actually no reason for me to be in that case. I resigned from the firm in 2014 and was fully engaged in my duties in the Judiciary,” she said.
Nyachae said he resigned as a judge of the East African Court of Justice due to dysfunction and financial challenges within the East African Community.
“I was appointed in February 2018 and served for five and a half years. However, I felt I was not adding value by remaining in a court that was hardly operating,” Nyachae said.
IEBC chairperson candidate and lawyer Saul Simiyu Wasilwa speaking during an interview before the IEBC selection panel at the Edge Convention center, South C on March 26, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAIIEBC chairperson nominee and Kenya Power board chairperson and legal analyst Joy Brenda Masinde-Mdivo arriving for an interview before the IEBC selection panel at the Edge Convention center, South C on March 25, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAIIEBC chairperson nominee and Kenya Power board chairperson and legal analyst Joy Brenda Masinde-Mdivo speaking during an interview before the IEBC selection panel at the Edge Convention center, South C on March 25, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAIIEBC chairperson nominee and lawyer Lilian Wanjiku arriving for an interview before the IEBC selection panel at the Edge Convention center, South C on March 26, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAIIEBC chairperson nominee and lawyer Lilian Wanjiku speaking during an interview before the IEBC selection panel at the Edge Convention center, South C on March 26, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAIIEBC chairperson nominee and former deputy chief registrar of the Judiciary Francis Kakai arrives at the interview before the IEBC selection panel at the Edge Convention center, South C on March 25, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAIIEBC chairperson nominee and former deputy chief registrar of the Judiciary Francis Kakai speaking during an interview before the IEBC selection panel at the Edge Convention center, South C on March 25, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAIIEBC chairperson nominee and lawyer Robert Okumu Asembo speaking during an interview before the IEBC selection panel at the Edge Convention center, South C on March 26, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAIIEBC chairperson nominee and former Nairobi county clerk Jacob Ngwele speaking during an interview before the IEBC selection panel at the Edge Convention center, South C on March 25, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAI
