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Nairobi, April 9, 2025 — The ongoing recruitment of new commissioners to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has hit yet another roadblock after a group of concerned citizens filed a petition in the High Court, citing constitutional violations. Meanwhile, scrutiny over the competence of shortlisted candidates intensified following a widely publicized oral interview blunder involving one nominee who failed to recall key historical figures.
The petition, filed on Monday, April 7, 2025, seeks to suspend the current shortlisting and interview process, alleging that the Selection Panel overseeing the recruitment has been constituted in contravention of the Constitution. Petitioners include prominent activist Bob Njagi, Nicholas Oyoo, Felix Wambua, Halima Shariff, Florence Kanyua, Njoroge Wanjigi, and the civil society group Free Kenya Initiatives.
According to the petitioners, the process violates provisions related to the appointment of public officers. They argue that the inclusion of certain individuals on the panel undermines the principle of independence and neutrality that is required in the recruitment of commissioners to a body as critical as the IEBC.
“The Constitution is clear about the qualifications and disqualifications of persons serving in public bodies. This Selection Panel does not meet those standards. We cannot allow a flawed process to give us the very people who will preside over national elections,” said Njagi, speaking outside the courthouse shortly after filing the petition.
In response, the High Court has ordered the Public Service Commission (PSC), the IEBC, and the seven-member Selection Panel to file their responses within 21 days. The matter is set for hearing on May 14, 2025. The outcome could have serious implications for the already delayed process of reconstituting the IEBC, which is crucial ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Meanwhile, concerns over the competence of some candidates have also emerged. On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, IEBC commissioner nominee James Leiro Letangule struggled to answer a basic historical question during his oral interview with the panel.
Letangule was asked by panelist Prof. Adams Oloo to name three members of the Kapenguria Six—a group of Kenyan nationalists who were detained by the British colonial government in 1952 and are considered heroes of the country’s independence movement. Despite the question’s prominence in Kenya’s historical curriculum, Letangule could only name Jomo Kenyatta correctly and then mistakenly included Dedan Kimathi, who was not among the Kapenguria Six.
The correct members of the Kapenguria Six are Jomo Kenyatta, Achieng’ Oneko, Bildad Kaggia, Fred Kubai, Paul Ngei, and Kung’u Karumba.
The incident has sparked widespread concern over the vetting standards applied to nominees seeking positions in a commission that bears immense responsibility for upholding Kenya’s democratic processes.
“It’s not just about history. It’s about demonstrating basic competence, awareness of national heritage, and readiness to serve in a role that demands sharpness, credibility, and depth,” said Dr. Mercy Nduta, a political analyst. “That a nominee could not identify such central figures in Kenyan history raises questions about the selection criteria being used.”
Further fueling controversy are revelations that six additional candidates were included in the interview list without appearing on the initial shortlist published on March 14, 2025. Legal analysts and members of the public have voiced concern over the integrity of the process, demanding transparency from the Selection Panel.
“How did these names suddenly appear? This raises red flags over possible political interference or backdoor maneuvering,” said constitutional lawyer George Mboya. “Any recruitment process that purports to serve a national body like the IEBC must meet the highest standards of integrity.”
The IEBC has remained without a full commission since January 2023, following the resignation and expiry of terms for most of its former commissioners. The vacuum has significantly slowed down electoral reforms and preparations for future polls.
As legal and political pressure mounts, the Selection Panel finds itself on increasingly shaky ground. With the May court hearing looming, and public scrutiny intensifying, the future of the IEBC’s reconstitution process remains uncertain.