Charles Nyachae, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson candidate, on Monday, March 24, 2025, narrated how he was almost discouraged from applying for the position by some of his colleagues and friends.
Appearing before the selection panel, Nyachae painted a trepidation feeling around the IEBC chairperson position in the country.
Nyachae told the selection panel that his friend asked him whether he was prepared to face death or be compromised if he successfully wins the race to succeed the late Wafula Chebukati as the next IEBC chairperson.
“A very close friend of mine and my professional colleague, I told him I am applying for this job. He told me, ‘My brother, are you sure you want to do that? Many people have asked me that question too,” Nyachae narrated before the IEBC selection panel.
“I said ‘yes.’ I asked him why? He told me, ‘You know you should be ready to either lose your life or your integrity,” Nyachae added.
“I told him, ‘No, I do not intend to lose my life while serving the people of Kenya as the chair of the IEBC commission, and I have no intention at any point to of compromising on integrity.” Nyachae responded to his friend’s concerns.
His qualities
After sharing his reservations regarding the IEBC chairperson position, Nyachae went to defend his track record and convince the selection panel of his suitability to lead the commission.
Nyachae said his legal background, governance, and leadership expertise will help unite diverse competencies in the commission.
” I, with eight other colleagues, served as members of the commission for the implementation of the Constitution. In that process, my passion for the Constitution of Kenya 2010 grew even higher and that passion continues to date,” Nyachae stated.
“I was privileged to work with one of the panelists, Dr. Koki Muli. I learnt a lot in that context on everything that surrounds electoral processes and reforms,” he added.
He further put to ask on various issues, including the two-thirds gender rule but Nyachae put up a spirited battle to convince the panel why he was qualified to lead IEBC ahead of the 2027 polls.
He cited listening as one of his great attributes and vowed to listen to various concerns in order to improve the electoral body.
