By Reuben Olita
Principal Administrative Secretary (PAS) in the Executive Office of the President, Arthur Amug Osiya, today urged the just sworn-in Independent, Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel to exercise impartiality in constituting new commissioners.
Speaking after the swearing in of the nine-member panel at the Supreme Court of Kenya that were presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome, Mr Osiya said applying congeniality is the way forward for it.
“We should not have difficulties in applying congeniality- that is where the challenge is. There are a lot of interests in this exercise, but congeniality is the best way
forward for any panel that wants to come up with a satisfactory result, so it means we have to put the country first as we engage in this exercise,” he said.
He added: ” The panel needs to temporarily detach from your mother environment so that you can do the best for this country by selecting commissioners who will stand the test of time,” he said.
Mr Osiya went on: ” You can see the level of scrutiny, especially on issues of good governance. Your focus as a selection panel should be of the highest possible standards.”
It would be a commission that is going to run a cycle when we are almost in an environment that is most charged.
” You can see the mood of Kenyans, and you can see the attachment Kenyans are giving the elections, so let’s always have this at the back of our minds as we do this exercise,” Osiya stated.
The PAS thanked the chief justice for her continued support. ” You are always busy, but you have given us time to enable other pricesses to support governance of this country.
Mr Osiya also congratulated the selection panel, and ” We wish you well, but have the magnanimity of the task ahead as you start the exercise.”
magnanimity
President William appointed the nine-member member IEBC Selection Panel. They include Nicodemus Kipchirchir Bore, Carolene Kituku, Andrew Kipkoech, Kiome Lindah Gakii, Prof Adams Oloo,
James Evans Misati,
Ambassador Koki Muli, Nelson Makanda, and Fatuma Saman.
This came after the high court ruled on the case by Kalonzo Musyoka that was holding hostage IEBC reconstitution process.
CJ urged the panel to safeguard the integrity of our democracy and the credibility of the elections by undertaking the exercise with impartiality.
Photo:- PAS Arthur Osiya.
