Former Judiciary Chief Registrar Anne Amadi has pledged to foster a strong working relationship among commissioners and the secretariat to prevent internal conflicts if appointed as the chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Speaking during her vetting by the IEBC selection panel, Amadi emphasized the critical role of the chairperson in uniting the commission and ensuring smooth operations. She acknowledged that strained relations within the electoral body have previously hampered service delivery and the realization of its objectives, making it essential to cultivate a cohesive and collaborative work environment.
“As a leader, the chairperson plays a key role in setting the agenda. This requires rallying members around a shared vision to ensure the agenda is supported, fostering a common understanding among all stakeholders,” Amadi stated.
She cited her extensive experience as the secretary to the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ), which required strong stakeholder engagement, governance expertise, and effective communication skills. Amadi asserted that her experience in the justice sector has given her a clear understanding of leadership boundaries within an organization.
“It is very clear to me where the role of the chairperson ends and where that of the secretary starts,” she said, underlining the importance of respecting institutional roles to maintain harmony.
Amadi, one of the 11 candidates shortlisted for the chairperson position, was responding to questions about how she would avoid conflicts among commissioners, a challenge that plagued the previous IEBC leadership.
The interviews for the IEBC chairperson and commissioner positions commenced on Monday, March 24, at the College of Insurance in South C, Nairobi. The selection panel aims to complete the interviews for the chairperson position by Wednesday, March 26, while those for commissioners will run from Thursday, March 27, to April 24.
Naivasha Law Courts Chief Magistrate Abdulqadi Lorot Ramadan was the first to be interviewed. Other notable candidates scheduled to appear include former East African Court of Justice judges Charles Nyachae and Edward Katama Ngeywa.
The selection process is being closely watched, as the new leadership will be instrumental in overseeing Kenya’s electoral processes and ensuring credibility and transparency in future elections.
