The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of Kenya has addressed concerns over publishing the names of foreign nationals who applied for the Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer position. According to IEBC, the vacancy was advertised in newspapers, on its website, and across social media platforms, allowing people of different nationalities to submit applications. The commission emphasized that applying did not automatically qualify an applicant, noting Kenyan citizenship was mandatory.
IEBC stated that all foreign applicants were disqualified at the preliminary stage after verification established they did not meet the citizenship requirement. The commission explained that it published the full list of applicants to comply with Articles 35 and 232 of the Constitution, which provide for access to information, transparency, and fair competition in public service.
To be eligible for the position, candidates were required to be Kenyan citizens, hold a recognized degree, have at least five years of senior management experience, and meet integrity requirements under Chapter Six of the Constitution and the IEBC Act. The commission said the final shortlist comprised only Kenyan citizens whose national identification documents, citizenship status, and academic credentials had been verified.
The clarification follows public discussion over the inclusion of foreign nationals in the list of applicants published by IEBC. The commission maintained that the recruitment process was transparent, competitive, and merit-based, urging the public not to politicize what it described as a standard recruitment process.
IEBC's response aims to address concerns and provide clarity on the recruitment process for the CEO position. The commission's efforts to ensure transparency and compliance with the Constitution are crucial in maintaining public trust.
The incident highlights the importance of clear communication and transparency in public service recruitment processes. IEBC's commitment to merit-based recruitment and adherence to constitutional requirements is essential in ensuring the integrity of the process.
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Key points
- IEBC published the full list of applicants to comply with constitutional requirements for transparency and access to information.
- All foreign applicants were disqualified due to not meeting the Kenyan citizenship requirement.
- The recruitment process for the CEO position was transparent, competitive, and merit-based.
