Nyachae, Amadi among key figures in IEBC chair race

Former East African Court of Justice judge Charles Nyachae and ex-Judiciary Chief Registrar Anne Amadi are among the notable figures who have expressed interest in becoming the next IEBC chairperson.

The two, alongside 35 others, have been featured in the long list of applicants unveiled Thursday by the IEBC selection panel.

Others who applied for the position, as per the panel, are KPLC board chairperson Joy Brenda Masinde-Mdivo, ex-IEBC CEO James Oswago and advocate Francis Kissinger.

The panel, which has a 90-day time limit, seeks to fill the position of the chairperson and six commissioners by May.

In a past interview, the Panel stated that it hopes to forward the names of successful individuals to the president on April 25 for appointment.

"Thereafter, the next steps will follow because as appertains to the law, the names will be forwarded to parliament for vetting and later take over the office," said Lindah Kiome, the panel's vice chairperson.

"If we give the names by the 25th, we should be having a commission by May in accordance with the law."

Nyachae resigned from the EACJ in November 2023.

He was appointed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018 to serve as a judge in the EACJ.

Amadi, on her part, left the Judiciary in January 2024 after a 10-year stint, while Oswago joined the IEBC in 2009 when it was still known as the Interim Independent Election Commission (IIEC) and resigned in 2013.

Among the requirements to be considered for the chairperson position are at least 15 years of experience as a superior court judge or at least 15 years of experience as a distinguished academic, judicial officer, legal practitioner, or such experience in other legally relevant fields.

Other applicants appearing in the advertisement appearing in a local daily dated March 6, 2025 are Abdulqadir Lorot H. Ramadhan, Calistus Wekesa Waswa, Cedrick Ogoro Mukhwana, Choge Rollince, Chrisphine Otieno Owiye, Duncan Oburu Ojuwang, Edward Katama Ngeywa, Erastus Edung Ethekon, Fred Khaemba Musungu, Isaac Mutie Mutua, Jackson Angoturum, Jacob Nyekele Mwegei, James Humphrey Obanda Oswago, Josiah Onyancha, Justry Patrick Lumumba Nyaberi and Kadhua Jimmy Kahindi.

Kenneth Kiplimo Kemboi, Kibet Victor, Lilian Wanjiku Manenge, Nelly Peris Ashubwe, Patrick Omutia Otulia, Peterkin Nyongesa, Samson Omua Ogada, Samuel Kariuki Kiragu, Samuel Osewe Ochillo, Saul Simiyu Wasilwa, Thomas Maosa Nyakambi, Vincent Omondi Olouch, Walubengo Waningilo, William Otieno Oketch, Wilson Wambugu Maina, Wycliffe Kiprotich Kiprono Bonnke and Yvonne Mercy Olaka also applied for the position.

In coming up with the list of the 37, the Panel said it eliminated duplicate and stray applications.

A total of 1848 applications, it said, were received by the close of the application process on February 15.

The next phase for the panel is the shortlisting of candidates.

“...the panel shall now proceed to undertake the shortlisting process, the list of which will also be published soon before proceeding for the interviews,” the Panel’s chairperson Nelson Makanda said in a statement.