In today’s court news, Lobby group Operation Linda Jamii has moved to court seeking to halt the ongoing IEBC recruitment process led by Dr. Nelson Makanda’s IEBC Selection Panel.
They argue that the panel’s actions have cast serious doubt on the integrity and credibility of the entire selection process.
Operation Linda Jamii contends that the criteria used to arrive at the current shortlist remain unclear. They allege that the panel favored individuals closely aligned with President William Ruto, thereby undermining the independence expected of the electoral body.
“The IEBC is meant to be an independent institution,” said Prof. Ogola. “Yet the panel, under Dr. Makanda’s leadership, has shortlisted individuals with overt political ties and significant credibility concerns.”
The lobby group specifically objected to the inclusion of Charles Nyachae and Joy Mdivo in the shortlist.
They argued that Nyachae, currently serving as the chairperson of the Council of the Kenya School of Government, is legally ineligible to serve as a member of the IEBC. Additionally, they described him as a long-time government appointee and “recycled bureaucrat,” suggesting he would represent the interests of the political elite rather than those of the Kenyan people.
They further claim that Nyachae is listed with the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB), raising concerns about his suitability to handle IEBC funds.
In objecting to Mrs. Mdivo’s shortlisting, they pointed out that she chairs the board of directors at the Kenya Power and Lighting Company, a state-controlled corporation. They also noted that she currently chairs the Electoral Disputes Resolution Committee of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), President Ruto’s political party, which they argue presents a clear conflict of interest.
Operation Linda Jamii warned that if the IEBC Selection Panel proceeds without addressing these concerns, it could compromise the credibility of the 2027 General Elections. They say that the Makanda-led panel will be held accountable for any potential post-election crisis and stated that “the blood of Kenyans” should there be a crisis would be on the panel’s hands if their concerns goes ignored.
The group is demanding an immediate nullification of the current shortlist and has asked the court to order a fresh, transparent, and lawful selection process that ensures only qualified and independent candidates are considered.
Furthermore, they are calling for an investigation into the panel’s conduct to determine whether political interference influenced the selection.
They also urged the court to put an end to what they described as executive overreach into the IEBC selection process.
