Handling political interference tops interviews for IEBC commissioners
From bottom left: Abdihafid Abdullahi Yarow, Abduba Mollu Ido, Abdihakim Adan Abdi , Abdinur Maalim Hussein (top, right), Abraham Kipruto Langat and Adhan Nuri Berhe.
Candidates seeking to be appointed electoral commissioners defended their independence and pledged to withstand political interference.
On Thursday, six candidates were interviewed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel chaired by Mr Nelson Makanda.
Some 105 persons have been shortlisted as the panel finds suitable candidates to fill six positions in the commission.
The first deputy governor in Wajir County, Abdihafid Abdullahi Yarow, said he would employ his experience in governance to improve the image of IEBC if he lands the job.
“I believe that I have the necessary character to be in this commission where we are looking for people who are independent, passionate, just, and have leadership skills,” Mr Yarow said.
Mr Yarow spelled the need to embrace negotiated democracy in the country as part of a long-term solution to the violence experienced during polls.
“This thing of 'winner takes it all' is what makes our election so polarised because people feel that if they loss, they have lost everything and everything in Kenya is tied around politics.”
He also hinted that given the chance, he would spearhead the team to relook into the proposals that were in Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) which would be implemented to end the political turmoil after every election.
Abduba Mollu Ido from Isiolo told the committee that some of the challenges that have faced the commission can easily be solved by engaging with stakeholders, and being transparent.
Mr Mollu said if given the job, he would uphold his leadership and governance skills to stop any form of interference of the functions of the commission from politicians.
“Commissioners should work within the law. The law is very clear in terms of recruitment, in terms of ensuring that we follow equity and justice, giving everyone an opportunity to serve in different capacities. By following the law, we would be able to withstand the pressure by sticking to what the law says,” Mr Mollu said.
Other candidates who appeared before the panel were Abdihakim Adan Abdi (PWD), Abdinur Maalim Hussein, Abraham Kipruto Langat and Adhan Nuri Berhe.
This comes after the concussion of the first phase which saw all the 11 candidates shortlisted for the chairperson positions appearing before the panel.