Let IEBC panel deliver

The journey to the much-awaited reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is well under way with the interviews being conducted by the selection panel.

Kenyans are eager to know who will become the new chairperson of the IEBC and who the commissioners will be.

With the 2027 General Election approaching, there is great anticipation that the panel will give the country the best team to manage this important activity.

It is through elections that the people choose their leaders every five years and an efficient and impartial IEBC is absolutely essential.

Already, politicians are exchanging words over suspicion about possible manipulation in the choice of the chairperson and the commissioners, who might favour some of the parties during the election. 

Opposition politicians have alleged a plot by the government and its allies to control the recruitment of the commissioners. This should never happen.

Elections always cause enormous tension and violent conflicts that threaten to tear the country apart.

The selection panel, which has so far done a good job of interviewing those who have appeared before it, should ensure that the new team is in place before bowing out.

It is quite commendable, therefore, that Parliament has extended the tenure of the panel by two weeks in response to its own request. The team led by Dr Nelson Makanda has been given adequate time to complete the interviews of the commissioners.

The team should not have any excuses for not picking the best men and women to serve on the IEBC, as they have sufficient time to carry out the interviews.

It would be disastrous to hurry the process and end up picking incompetent people who will only mess the management of elections.

The additional time should enable the process to be rigorous and thorough enough to yield the best results.