Panel concludes interviews for poll commission chair with two facing integrity concerns
Saul Simiyu Wasilwa, Robert Akumu Asembo and Lilian Wanjiku appeared before the panel on Wednesday.
Interviews for the chairperson of the electoral commission concluded on Wednesday with two candidates fighting off integrity concerns.
The selection panel chaired by Nelson Makanda raised numerous questions about the integrity of Mr Robert Akumu Asembo and Saul Simiyu Wasilwa.
Mr Omuku has pending criminal cases, while Mr Simiyu was exposed for practising without a license from the Law Society of Kenya.
Mr Akumu, an advocate of the High Court, battled allegations of violation of Chapter 6 of the Constitution on integrity and leadership.
“There are allegations that need to be convincing and are also controversial. You have to be fair to the accuser and me also as the accused,” Mr Akumu told the panel.
He also dismissed the cases that are still before the courts, some launched by the Law Society of Kenya, questioning his conduct.
Mr Akumu stated that despite questions on his character, he would want to be the person to manage the 2027 elections since he has not been found guilty.
“Those are accusations that will have to be determined and concluded, and my innocence will be proved. It has nothing to do with this job because until they convict me in this regard, then I think I'm still innocent and I still have a right to earn a living,” Mr Akumu said.
Five cases
The panel was informed that LSK, through a letter dated March 17, revealed that Mr Akumu had five different disciplinary cases that are yet to be determined.
Instead, Mr Akumu said that the courts should be allowed to fully hear and determine the matter.
In one of the cases before Kibra Law Courts, Mr Akumu is facing arrest for obtaining money by false pretence.
“From the pleadings before the court, it is evident that the applicant has not made any application before the trial court seeking their reinstatement of the cash bail or bond and the lifting of the warrant of arrest issued against him. In the absence of such an application and corresponding orders from the trial court, this prayer is deemed premature, “ court documents reads.
His attempts to stop the warrant of arrest was dismissed.
The selection panel also interviewed Lillian Wanjiku Manegene, bringing to a close the three days of intense exercise that saw 11 candidates appear.
In a press address after the conclusion of the exercise on Wednesday, Mr Makanda said that the panel would continue with the interviews of 105 candidates for the position of commissioners.
The team would then pick two names for the position of chairperson and forward it to the President who would then return the names to Parliament for vetting, out of which one candidate would be picked to succeed the late Wafula Chebukati.
Six names from 105 candidates will be selected and forwarded to the President as commissioners.