The National Assembly Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs (JLAC) is set to begin approval hearings for the seven nominees to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

This follows a communication from the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, confirming that he had received a message from President William Ruto requesting parliamentary approval for the appointment of the IEBC chairperson and commissioners.

JLAC Chairman, George Murugara, confirmed receiving the communication from the Speaker and announced that the approval process will soon begin, with the public invited to submit their input to guide the vetting of the nominees.

The law mandates that the public be given a chance to express their views within a given time frame, which can be up to 28 days.

“The maximum number of days it can take is 28 days from the date it was received, which takes us to almost the end of this month.

Two laws are involved, the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approvals) Act, which is most relevant, and the IEBC Act,” Murugara explained.

Following the completion of the interviews, the IEBC Selection Panel, led by Nelson Makanda, submitted its recruitment report to the President last Tuesday. The President subsequently announced the names of the seven nominees to be vetted. They, include Erastus Ethekon Edung for the position of chairperson, and Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdalla as members of the commission.

“The committee is expected to immediately commence the approval process and table its report immediately upon the resumption of the House on Tuesday, May 27, to enable the House to consider the nominees within the statutory timelines,” Wetang’ula stated.

The President’s selections have sparked both controversy and celebration. Wiper Party leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, criticised the appointments, warning that the IEBC could not be trusted under President Ruto’s control. “Kenyans will announce the winner at the polling station, not through the Ruto-controlled IEBC,” Musyoka said, asserting that the opposition would not accept a “partisan” commission.

Musyoka also referred to the National Dialogue Committee (Nadco) report, which suggests that consultation between the two major coalitions is necessary to foster confidence in the IEBC. “The recommendations in Paragraph 861 of the report highlight the importance of consultations before the President appoints the chairperson and members of the IEBC,” Musyoka added.

DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa echoed Musyoka’s concerns, accusing the President of failing to consult the opposition. “Even if Ruto goes ahead and hands-picks the IEBC team, we are ready. We will beat him,” Wamalwa said.

Meanwhile, the Election Observation Group (ELOG) expressed concerns over the lack of transparency in the process, especially regarding the recruitment report.

On the other hand, the Turkana Professionals’ Association praised the nomination of Ethekon as IEBC chairperson.

“This nomination is not just a personal triumph for Ethekon, but a national statement on inclusivity, fairness, and equity in public service,” Jackson Nakusa, the association’s chairperson said.