Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson candidate Lilian Wanjiku has called for strict penalties against any electoral commissioner who abandons their duties before or after a general election.
Appearing before the IEBC Selection Panel to assess her suitability for the role, Wanjiku emphasised the need to amend the law to ensure severe consequences for commissioners who resign before completing their term.
“As a legal practitioner, I would ensure there are legal provisions to have stringent penalties for any commissioner who has gone through this interview process, appointed, and then decides that I am going to take my salary up to 2026 or before the results are read, I am running away,” she said.
Wanjiku had been asked about the challenges she foresees and how she is going to address them if considered for the job.
Citing presidential results which have always been the source of dispute, Wanjiku said that under her leadership, any commissioner who disagrees with the process must provide a written explanation detailing their objections.
In April 2018, three commissioners-Connie Nkatha Maina and Margaret Mwachanya and Paul Kurgat-left their posts claiming they no longer had faith in the commission's leadership.
Before the 2022 declaration of presidential results, some four commissioners-vice chairperson Juliana Cherera, Irene Masit, Francis Wanderi, and Justus Nyang'aya- also resigned over in the presidential results.
This, she pointed out, is similar to the practice being adopted at the Supreme Court, where dissenting parties give their opinions.
Another challenge she gave is the digital system, which she said should be strengthened to be able to authenticate, authorise and account to avoid cases of possible manipulation of results.
Additionally, she proposed that the IEBC, as an impartial election arbiter, should not be named as a respondent in election petitions.
She argued that its involvement could create the perception of bias toward the declared winner.
Wanjiku holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Nairobi and a post-graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.
She is currently a consultant a LMB & Partners Advocates.
She is among the last three candidates out of the 11 shortlisted for the position to be interviewed today.
Others to appear before the panel today are Robert Asembo and Saul Simiyu.
Interviews for the member position will commence on Thursday, March 27, and end on April 25.
