Former Judiciary Registrar Anne Amadi. Photo/Newsflash
By Wanderi Kamau
Former East African Court of Justice (EACJ) judge Charles Nyachae and former Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Anne Amadi are among prominent individuals seeking to become the next chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The two are part of a list of 37 applicants unveiled on Thursday by the IEBC selection panel. Other notable contenders include Kenya Power Board Chairperson Joy Brenda Masinde-Mdivo, former IEBC CEO James Oswago, and lawyer Francis Kissinger.
The selection panel, which has been given 90 days to complete the recruitment process, is tasked with filling the vacant chairperson position along with six commissioner posts by May.
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Speaking previously, the panel indicated plans to submit the final list of successful candidates to President William Ruto by April 25, after which the names will be forwarded to Parliament for vetting.
IEBC composition deadline
“If we meet the April 25 deadline, the new IEBC team should be in place by May, as required by law,” said Lindah Kiome, the panel’s vice chairperson.
Nyachae stepped down from his role at the EACJ in November 2023, having been appointed in 2018 by former President Uhuru Kenyatta. Amadi, on the other hand, left her Judiciary role in January 2024 after serving for a decade. Oswago previously served at the IEBC from 2009 to 2013, dating back to its earlier iteration as the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC).
To qualify for the IEBC chairperson role, applicants must have at least 15 years of experience either as a superior court judge or in fields such as law, academia, or other legally recognized areas.
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The panel also revealed the full list of applicants in a public notice published on March 6, 2025, which includes names such as Abdulqadir Lorot H. Ramadhan, Calistus Wekesa Waswa, Cedrick Ogoro Mukhwana, Choge Rollince, Chrisphine Otieno Owiye, Duncan Oburu Ojuwang, Edward Katama Ngeywa, Erastus Edung Ethekon, and Fred Khaemba Musungu.
Other applicants include Isaac Mutie Mutua, Jackson Angoturum, Jacob Nyekele Mwegei, Josiah Onyancha, Justry Patrick Lumumba Nyaberi, Kadhua Jimmy Kahindi, Kenneth Kiplimo Kemboi, Kibet Victor, Lilian Wanjiku Manenge, Nelly Peris Ashubwe, Patrick Omutia Otulia, Peterkin Nyongesa, Samson Omua Ogada, Samuel Kariuki Kiragu, Samuel Osewe Ochillo, Saul Simiyu Wasilwa, Thomas Maosa Nyakambi, Vincent Omondi Olouch, Walubengo Waningilo, William Otieno Oketch, Wilson Wambugu Maina, Wycliffe Kiprotich Kiprono Bonnke, and Yvonne Mercy Olaka.
Total applications
According to the panel, the list of 37 was arrived at after filtering out duplicate and incomplete applications. In total, 1,848 applications were submitted before the deadline on February 15.
The panel will now embark on the shortlisting process, after which the names of those selected will be made public ahead of interviews.
“We are moving into the shortlisting stage, and the names of those shortlisted will soon be published,” said Nelson Makanda, chairperson of the selection panel, in an official statement.
