The process of recruiting a Chairperson and Six Commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is taking shape as the Selection Panel commenced the long listing process of applications.

The IEBC Selection Panel started the long listing process for applicants for the position of Chairperson and the Six Commissioners yesterday after expiry on the one month period for application for the positions. 

The Panel's Chairperson, Dr Nelson Makanda, launched the exercise that is being undertaken by members of the Secretariat.

"We closed receiving of applications for the position of Chairperson and Six Commissioners on Tuesday at 5pm and immediately started the long listing exercise which ends this week," said Dr Makanda.

As the Secretariat continue to conduct the long listing exercise, Members of the Panel scaled up their engagement with various key Stakeholders to beef up their knowledge on the recruitment exercise.

The Stakeholders, compromising from Public Service, Trade union, Politics and Legal spheres made presentations on various topics as well as sharing experiences that would help the Panel be effective in their work.

Bomet Senator Hon. Hillary Sigei, made a presentation on the role of Parliament in Election Management while Eric Theuri, a Representative of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) presented on Dispute Resolutions in Elections.

Mr Benson Okwaro, Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Representative, alongside his KUPPET Counterpart presented on Effective Management Elections; Employers and Trade Unions perspective. 

Other presenters were Mr Cyprian Nyamu on scenario building, former IEBC Vice Chairperson, Lillian Mahira Zaja on Managing Elections in Kenya and Daisy Amdany, who is the Executive Director CRAWN, on Gender and Equity in Management of Elections.

The Stakeholders' engagement with the Panel, continues until the end of the week.

Dr Makanda while appreciating the presenters, said that they have gained alot from their presentations.

"Our engagement with Stakeholders has been very informative and we have gained alot from these great minds," he added.

Panel Vice Chairperson, Ms Charity Kisotu, said the experience shared by the Stakeholders helped sharpen their knowledge.

"The presentations and experiences shared by the Stakeholders we have engaged with, have made us more informed than before," she added. 

Other Members of the Panel present during the meeting were Mr Bethuel Sugut, Ms Novince Euralia Atieno, Mr Evans Misati, Mr Benson Ngugi and Ms Fatuma Saman.