On 30^th March 2023, KEPSA, led by the Chairperson Ms Flora Mutahi, presented the private sector views to the Selection Panel for the recruitment of nominees for appointment as chairperson and members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The forum was held at a Nairobi hotel and was part of the week-long stakeholders’ engagement workshop that kicked off on 26^th March 2023. The workshop aimed at collecting views from key stakeholders and practitioners with knowledge of election management matters that will inform the Selection Panel in the nomination process.

The Selection Panel is led by Dr Nelson Makanda as the Chairperson together with Ms Charity Kisotu as the Vice Chairperson and was appointed by His Excellency, the President on 27^th February 2023. This followed the declaration by the President of one (1) vacancy in the position of Chairperson and six (6) vacancies in the position of Member of IEBC vide Gazette Notice NO. 1901 of 2023.

During the meeting, the KEPSA Chair noted that elections are a cornerstone of democracy, and it is crucial to ensure that they are managed effectively to uphold democratic principles while adding that the private sector can only thrive in a cohesive and politically stable society. She went on to outline some desirable qualities of election officials including impartiality, integrity, competence, diligence, responsiveness and reliability.

The KEPSA Chair also highlighted the initiatives the private sector has undertaken towards peacebuilding during the electioneering period and ensuring stability for posterity. She noted that the creation of the Mkenya Daima Initiative has greatly changed the post-election political temperatures since its inception by promoting the use of the legal system rather than resorting to violence when there is a conflict.

Ms Mutahi was accompanied by Mr Mucai Kunyiha, KEPSA Director and a member of the Mkenya Daima Initiative Steering Committee, a non-partisan multi-stakeholder platform whose primary purpose is to inspire Kenyans towards peaceful elections and prosperity thereafter.

The Selection Panel is responsible for inviting applications from persons qualified to be appointed as chairperson and members of the Commission; considering applications and short-listing qualified persons from amongst the applicants; interviewing the short-listed candidates; and recommending to the President for appointment of two persons qualified to be appointed as chairperson and nine persons qualified to be appointed as members of the Commission.