Kenya's lawmakers just voted to give more time to the team picking new election officials. The National Assembly decided on Wednesday that the Selection Panel needs extra days to finish interviewing people for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission jobs. This two-week addition starts April 28, 2025. The panel must complete its work during this period.
Moses Wetang'ula, who leads the National Assembly, explained that the rules say the panel should finish within 90 days after being formed. President Ruto created this team on January 27, 2025. The panel has been talking with many candidates but can't finish on time. They need these extra days to make sure they pick people from different regions.
The team also wants to include young people and make selections that represent everyone. Junet Mohamed asked for this change as the minority leader in parliament. He pointed to rules in the IEBC Act that talk about the 90-day limit. The panel must send final names to the President when they finish.
Mohamed reminded everyone that President Ruto announced job openings for one chairperson and six members of the election commission back in 2023. The panel has already narrowed down the list of people who applied. Right after being formed, they started their work by checking applications. They need more days because their schedule is packed with interviews for all the remaining candidates.
Moses Wetang'ula, who leads the National Assembly, explained that the rules say the panel should finish within 90 days after being formed. President Ruto created this team on January 27, 2025. The panel has been talking with many candidates but can't finish on time. They need these extra days to make sure they pick people from different regions.
The team also wants to include young people and make selections that represent everyone. Junet Mohamed asked for this change as the minority leader in parliament. He pointed to rules in the IEBC Act that talk about the 90-day limit. The panel must send final names to the President when they finish.
Mohamed reminded everyone that President Ruto announced job openings for one chairperson and six members of the election commission back in 2023. The panel has already narrowed down the list of people who applied. Right after being formed, they started their work by checking applications. They need more days because their schedule is packed with interviews for all the remaining candidates.
