Why women stand better chance to get lucrative IEBC jobs
Women seem stand a bigger chance of taking the four slots in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) if its current composition will be a factor in the appointments.
The selection panel has shortlisted 36 individuals out of whom 16 are women. Selection was done from a pool of 669 applicants, most of them academicians, politicians, human rights activists and State officers. Among the considerations that are likely to influence the selection panel will be ethnic and regional balance, gender and diversity.
“While considering the applications, the selection panel observed that there were many qualified Kenyans who expressed interest in the position,” IEBC selection panel chair Koki Muli said in a statement.
The youngest applicant, according to Muli, was 23 years old and the oldest 73.
Women applicants
“Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed during an exercise that will run from July 7 to July 22,” Muli announced. Women applicants stand a better chance since the current three commissioners are all male.
The female gender has a takeoff advantage due to balance. Women are likely to bag two or three slots, since as it is composed currently the commission is made up of three male commissioners.
Applicants from North Eastern, Lower Eastern and Western regions stand a slim chance, too, since the current office of chairman Wafula Chebukati, Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu hails these regions. A political analyst, Javan Bigambo, says it will be appropriate for the panel to pick three women to fill the positions.
“It will be fitting to have the women gender retain their slots in the commission as it were before the resignation of the former commissioners,” Bigambo said.
He, however, discards the notion that it is a requirement that the commission have three women commissioners. They can decide to pick two or even all the four.
Shortlisted candidates
Constitutionally, the requisite number of commissioners of the electoral body is seven.
The list of women candidates shortlisted include former Judges and Magistrates Vetting board vice-chair Roseline Doreen Adhiambo Odede (Siaya), former KNCHR chairperson Kagwiria Mbogori (Meru) and former KNCHR chairperson Florence Shimbiri-Jaoko (Nairobi).
Others are Koki Muli (Makueni), Anne Mwikali Kiusya (Machakos), Caroline Ng’ang’a (Murang’a), Catherine Kamindo (Nyeri), Cecilia Dinah Jeruto Kipkebut (Nakuru), Harriette Chiggai (Kakamega), Irene Keino (Uasin Gishu), Juliana Cherera (Mombasa), Lucy Chelimo, Rose Musyoka (Makueni), Zippy Musyimi (Kitui), Sellestine Anna MbiiKiuluku (Makueni) and Irene Masit (Elegeyo Marakwet).
Prof Macharia Munene, a lecturer at the United States International University, says all the shortlisted candidates stand equal chance to fill the slots.
